Nursery World - 30 hours expansion will be nothing more than a 'pipe dream' without action on staff exodus

New research warns the expansion of the funded hours is at risk as 57 per cent of nursery staff and 38 per cent of childminders are considering leaving the sector in the next 12 months.

New research suggests the extended 30 hours could be at risk without solving retention and recruit issues amid increased demand for childcare places, PHOTO: Adobe Stock

It comes at a time when the Government is preparing to roll-out the first phase of its expanded funded childcare, which will require an increase in places in early years settings and extra staff to meet a rise in demand.

Early years workforce must grow by 8 per cent to deliver the expansion of the 30 hours

The report, ‘Retention and return: delivering the expansion of early years entitlement in England’, reveals that two-thirds (67 per cent) of nurseries already have average wait times of almost six months for a place. It says when turnover intention rates are combined with increased demand, an estimated 50,000 additional staff would be needed in 2024 and again in 2025 to maintain existing provision and provide the expanded entitlement.

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