Nursery World - Recruitment and retention of early years staff a challenge for most countries, finds Ofsted

The workforce across the OECD is ‘struggling to keep up’ with the demand for childcare places, according to a new report from Ofsted.

The research by Ofsted suggests recruitment of early years staff is a challenge for most OECD countries , PHOTO: Adobe Stock

‘International perspectives on early years’ suggests that almost all OECD countries are facing similar challenges with recruitment and retention of staff.

The report states, ‘Workforce shortages are a challenge in many countries. In almost all OECD countries, more children are attending early years settings.

‘The workforce is struggling to keep up. Across the OECD there is an aging early years workforce. Almost a third of OECD pre-primary teachers are over 50. As these teachers begin to retire, workforce shortages are likely to worsen.’

The report, which draws on evidence from international research, as well as a survey and roundtable discussion with representatives of inspectorates and early years academics from various European countries, considers recruitment and retention challenges to be down to low wages, feeling undervalued, poor working conditions and limited opportunities for professional development.

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