What’s needed to grow and nurture the early years workforce?
The Education Committee continues its early years inquiry by questioning experts on how government policy can help strengthen the sector’s workforce.
Meeting details
The cross-party Committee’s inquiry, launched in September, is also looking into the sustainability of the sector, access and affordability of services for parents, and quality of provision and outcomes for young children.
In this session, MPs are likely to look at the shortages of staff in nurseries and other early years settings, which have arisen due to higher than expected demand for early education and childcare using the government-funded entitlements.
The Department for Education has seen some success against its targets to attract more staff to the sector; the National Foundation for Educational Research published a report on the early years workforce showing that number rose by 12% from 2021 to 2024. However, MPs are likely to be interested to hear why, despite this increase, provision remains scarce in some parts of the country.
The Committee may explore ways to improve retention within the sector, and the financial stability of settings. For several years there has been criticism that the funding provided by the Government for the range of ‘free childcare’ entitlements is insufficient to cover running costs.
MPs could also raise questions around simplifying the variety of qualifications that can provide routes into the sector. A report by Early Education published in August pointed to over 200 qualifications, including degrees, NVQs, BTECs, T-Levels, diplomas and apprenticeships.