A study comparing the characteristics of workers in care, education and health found that childcare workers are overwhelmingly female and white.
A typical childcare worker is aged on average 35, earns £7,963 a year (£5.72 an hour) and works 29 hours a week.
The study included nursery nurses, playgroup workers and childminders in the category.
Childcare workers, especially nursery nurses, tended to be younger and were earning less than all of the other occupational groups in the research.
The study, analysing the characteristics of the childcare, education, social care and nursing workforce in England and Scotland, was carried out for the DCSF by the Thomas Coram Research Unit and the Institute of Education at the University of London.
Social care workers included social workers, residential wardens, youth and community workers, housing and welfare officers and care assistants/home carers.Education comprised nursery, primary and secondary teachers and educational assistants. Nursing included nurses, midwives and nursing auxiliaries/assistants.
The report said, 'The latest analysis takes place at a time when a clear policy agenda, Every Child Matters, has emerged that presumes social care, childcare, education and health services and their workforces should be working together in an integrated way to achieve common outcomes for children and young people.'
It adds, 'As it becomes normal to develop policy for "the children's workforce", it becomes more important to look across the diverse occupations that constitute the workforce.'
In conclusion, the report said the fact that childcare workers have the lowest qualifications and pay could hinder the sectors working together.
FURTHER INFORMATION
'Secondary Analysis of the Labour Force Survey to map the numbers and characteristics of the occupations working within Social Care, Childcare, Nursing and Education' is at www.dcsf.gov.uk/research.
