EY-Essential, the Alliance’s management software, was produced in partnership with CACI-Softsmart Limited, one of the market’s leading suppliers of monitoring, evaluation and reporting software solutions for children’s services and early years. EY-Essential offers an affordable management software system, which reduces the amount of time and cost spent gathering and processing the vast amount of information needed to run settings effectively. Alliance members can receive the software for just £250.00 plus VAT (non-members £340.00 plus VAT).

EY-Essential has been developed as a standalone PC based application, with a software licence for one install on one computer. Some of its features include:

• Today Page – overview of key information for the day
• Detailed family information
• Quick and easy booking/enquiry process
• Integrated diary with reminders
• Automatic nursery education funding allocation (NEG/NEF)
• NEG/NEF recalculation tools
• Flexible sessions and pricing structure
• Quick payments
• Detailed invoicing
• Invoice and payments history
• Children/staff ratio management
• Staff bookings and rota
• Comprehensive built in reports
• Free upgrades available from website

When choosing a software package it is important to understand the needs of your setting. There isn’t a system that will meet the functional needs of every setting. With EY-Essential you can try before you buy. To request a demonstration CD-ROM please contact the Pre-school Learning Alliance Information Service team at info@pre-school.org.uk or telephone 020 7697 2595.

It is also important to calculate the full costs of the software. Unlike EY-Essential, many software providers charge compulsory monthly or yearly subscription fees. To keep the unit cost of EY-Essential as low as possible, support and guidance is provided within the software, at www.ey-essential.com, or via a telephone support line (09067 570 420 – calls charged at 75p per minute from a BT line). The income received from the phone calls covers the cost of providing one-to-one support, and ensures that groups not requiring this service do not subsidise those who do. Settings that have used this service have found their issues to be resolved swiftly.

For settings with limited experience of software packages, the following additional support packages, which provide a standard rate telephone line and an online technician, are available:

• 3 month support package - £150 (£50 per month plus VAT)
• 6 month support package - £240 (£40 per month plus VAT)
• 12 month support package - £420 (£35 per month plus VAT)

For a full overview of EY-Essential and an interactive demonstration please visit www.ey-essential.com.