Early years education is significant in addressing socio-economic issues and a highly skilled childcare workforce is a key part of this strategy.
However, there has been a lack of progress when it comes to the constraints faced by childcare employees.
The Education Policy Institute (EPI) published a new study which has been reinforced by the Nuffield Foundation. The study aims to provide more insight into the changes and challenges the childcare workforce has faced in recent years.
In an already difficult climate, financial insecurity sees childcare workers getting £8.20 per hour on average. This means they are earning 40 percent less than the working female population and less than half that of teachers.
This pay has decreased by 5 percent since the recession in 2013 for childcare employees, compared to a 2.5 percent increase for female workers, despite the need for higher level qualifications. As a result, pay is the biggest reason for those in the childcare workforce leaving the sector.
There have been consistent warnings over the financial state of the early years sector and about the promises the government make but cannot provide sufficient funds to support.
With increased business rates and lower profit margins, childcare providers are forced to choose between making the parental fees higher or lowering the wages for their staff. The former is harder to achieve due to the already high childcare fees, which leaves employers with few options.
As well as low pay, there is increased pressure to hold higher qualifications. In 2018, around 25 percent of the childcare workforce had a degree or equivalent qualification, compared to 93 percent of teachers. However, few are given the opportunity to complete training yet there is constant pressure for improvement.
Think back to the recent alterations to the GCSE requirements and the constant changes and insecurity surrounding this; as well as the lack of support to help people complete their training in order to achieve improved qualifications. This can all lead to a disincentivised workforce.
There is constant pressure to improve, but no incentives to do so. The situation for the childcare workforce needs to change, these dedicated people are the ones responsible for the development of our children, but they are not reaping the rewards for their work.
On a bigger scale, with childcare workers losing out, this has a knock-on effect for our children too.
Worker in the Childcare industry work very hard and are dedicated. Some of us have work hard to gain our qualification. We play a very important part in the live of children. They spend long hours with us and those of us who are parents ourselves loose quality times with our children and hope they are getting good care from a dedicated worker. I have read articles about health issue that develop with childcare staff because their wages is not sufficient to live on despite the long hour worked causing them worries, mental health, and depression. This is not right.
I totally agree with the contents of this page. A situation where workers are feeling suffercated, and low-esteem because of the conditions in this field if work ,long hours, low wages, no opportunity to develop their skills, becoming deskilled because of lack of training as they have to work, or not being offered training, little or no supervision.
With all this doesn’t this contradict the “Safeguard” element of Childcare. I feel that it is of the upmost importance that the person providing the care (front line staff) should also be care for so that they can always be their best for the children. After all we are