Nursery World - EYFS rules for playworkers threatens holiday provision

Parents of young children have been warned that they are likely to face a shortage of available holiday childcare this Easter because many providers are struggling to recruit qualified staff.

Holiday club providers say that it is unrealistic for them to be able to comply with the EYFS requirements that 50 per cent of staff should hold a level two or three qualification, because the workforce relies heavily on students who work only during their holidays and who are often pursuing alternative careers.

Stephen Studd, chief executive of SkillsActive, which provides advice and guidance to the play sector on training and education, said, 'While we are certainly in favour of a well-qualified play industry, we do support the play schemes in their belief that expecting a student taking on a holiday job to become as qualified as someone who works there year-round is unreasonable.

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