Recruitment issues risk undermining childcare expansion

Efforts to expand free childcare for working families in England may be hindered by ongoing challenges in recruiting and retaining early years staff, according to new research from the National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER).

From today, the Government has doubled the number of free childcare hours – from 15 to 30 per week – for eligible working families with children aged between nine months and three years. However, the NFER’s latest analysis suggests that poor pay, limited career progression, and regional workforce shortages could jeopardise the successful rollout of the scheme.

The Government estimates that an additional 35,000 early years workers will be needed between December 2023 and September 2025 to meet demand. While current growth trends suggest this target could be met nationally, the report warns that recruitment is already proving difficult, and further increases may be even more challenging, particularly in certain regions where data gaps make it hard to track local shortages.

A key concern is persistently low pay in the sector. In 2022/23, early years workers earned 36 per cent less than similar workers with comparable qualifications and working patterns. Though providers set their own pay levels, NFER notes that Government funding, particularly for free entitlement hours, heavily influences what providers can afford to offer.

The report also highlights limited opportunity for career progression. Staff with different levels of experience and qualifications often earn similar wages, reducing incentives for professional development. Only 49 per cent of early years workers believe there are opportunities to advance in their careers, compared to 57 per cent of workers in comparable sectors.

Despite these challenges, many early years professionals report high levels of wellbeing and job satisfaction. Workers generally feel their roles are worthwhile, although those with higher qualifications tend to experience more anxiety and lower fulfilment, an area NFER recommends exploring further.

NFER is urging the Government to raise funding rates, improve professional development pathways, and invest in better workforce data to guide future policy. The report recommends swift implementation of proposals for a professional development offer and career pathway, alongside more robust regional workforce analysis.

Without meaningful action, the report warns, staffing shortages and poor working conditions could threaten the stability of a sector vital to both child development and working families.