Nursery World - Workforce survey: Early years sector under increasing strain

Widespread staff shortages and retention problems in nurseries are leading to a rise in workplace stress among early years workers, according to a new report out today.

Three-quarters of nurseries that said they experienced issues with recruitment, in Ceeda Research's Early Years Workforce Survey 2019, reported a more stressful working environment (77 per cent).

The research also warns that the struggle to fill vacancies is impacting on the number of childcare places settings can offer, leading to longer waiting lists.

Government plans for a points-based immigration system will exacerbate the situation further, as more than 9,000 nursery workers are EU nationals and nursery workers are not listed on the Government’s current list of shortage occupations, the survey says.

Moreover, average pay would need to increase by nearly 50 per cent for early years staff to meet the general earnings threshold.

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