Independent social research organisation NatCen will continue to carry out interviews with all levels of the workforce until the end of June to explore recruitment and retention issues as part of its ‘Understanding the early years workforce’ study, which is funded by the Nuffield Foundation.
Researchers hope to carry out face-to-face interviews with practitioners working in a range of provider types, including private, voluntary, and independent settings, schools and childminders, across seven local authority areas:
- Bath and North-East Somerset
- Blackburn and Darwen
- Bristol
- Cambridgeshire
- Islington
- Nottingham City
- Redcar and Cleveland
Responses will all remain anonymous and participants will receive a book voucher as a reward for taking part.
The research will be used to highlight any recommendations for creating better conditions for staff, stronger outcomes for children and more effective support for the sector as a whole
NatCen researcher Molly Mayer said, ‘This is a fantastic opportunity for early years workers to share their views about what works, what doesn’t and what changes they would like to see.
‘It is important we speak with early years workers across the country.
‘The challenges faced by a nursery in Islington may be different than the challenges experience by a nursery in Blackburn, just as the experiences of a worker starting out in the field with three months’ experience may be different than a worker with 30 years’ experience.
‘But all are equally important; we want those different voices represented in our study.’
- To take part, contact the research team at EYworkforce@natcen.ac.uk or on 0207 549 8513, or visit http://natcen.ac.uk/taking-part/studies-in-field/understanding-the-early-years-workforce/
