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Alliance launches new low cost nursery management software

NEWS RELEASE

21 April 2006

Alliance launches new low cost nursery management software

Leading early years charity the Pre-school Learning Alliance has today launched a new lowcost software package made specifically for early years settings. The software, which is called EY-Essential was produced in conjunction with childcare and family support software developer Softsmart Ltd. It contains tools to help nursery managers run settings and deal with day-to-day tasks.

The Alliance’s close relationship with its 15,000 member settings across the country has highlighted the need for an affordable and effective system to support the growing administrative demands placed on nursery managers. Research suggests that only a relatively small number of settings currently take advantage of similar software, with many citing the high cost of current software packages as a reason preventing them from taking the plunge.

EY-Essential builds on the Alliance’s extensive experience of the early years, and provides settings with the tools to deal with the day-to-day tasks associated with running a setting, including; conducting bookings, staff rotas, room ratios, vouchers/grants, invoicing, reports, waiting lists, daily diary as well as the ability to configure specific sessions and pricing.

Pre-school Learning Alliance Communications Director, Neil Leitch said:

"Many nurseries would benefit from using management software but until now the cost has been prohibitive. We hope our new package will bring easier setting management to a substantially increased audience."

Managing Director of SoftSmart Ltd, Paul Richards said:

“We are delighted to have been able to work with the Pre-school Learning Alliance on this project. Our considerable experience in developing, distributing and supporting software for children’s services like SureStart Children’s Centres has combined extremely well with the Alliance's close working knowledge of nurseries and pre-school settings. EY-Essential compares very well with any of the other major products on the market but is a fraction of the cost. It is already proving to be a very popular choice.”

ENDS

For further information please contact:

Ben Miskell
Pre-school Learning Alliance
T: 020 7697 2508
Out of hours press calls: 07802 827 678
E: Ben Miskell