Nursery World - Editor's view (23)

The frustration of English nursery owners over long delays in criminal records checks for new employees is evident. The situation in England looks to be not half so bad as that in Scotland, however (see News, page 4), where confusion about the process for criminal record checks reigns among providers and even Care Commission staff, and there are fears that children will not be afforded proper adequate protection. With recruitment and retention in the childcare sector at virtual crisis point, any obstacle to hiring good staff just adds to the stress of trying to run a high-quality setting and must be removed as soon as possible.

With recruitment and retention in the childcare sector at virtual crisis point, any obstacle to hiring good staff just adds to the stress of trying to run a high-quality setting and must be removed as soon as possible.

Talking of stress, working in childcare can certainly have its pressures, however rewarding a job it undoubtedly is. Childcarers are particularly vulnerable, it seems, because their occupation is under-valued and under-paid. For advice on how to avoid stress or to turn it to positive ends, read our feature 'Screaming point' on pages 24-25, where expert Andrea Clifford-Poston gives invaluable advice.

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