The Early Years Alliance conducted a survey on staff recruitment and retention in the early years sector for England in October 2021. The survey received 1,395 responses from nurseries, pre-schools and some childminding settings. Full report can be found on eyalliance.org.uk.

These survey results are from a report on ‘The impact of recruitment and retention challenges on the early years sector in England’.

Information on mental health and wellbeing in the Early Years sector was gathered within this report here are the statistics:

• 80% of respondents had felt stressed about work because of an issue relating to the Covid-19 pandemic ‘somewhat often’ or ‘very often’ over the previous month
• 72% had experienced fatigue/tiredness related to the impact of the pandemic on their early years role over the previous month
• 70% had experienced anxiety
• 59% had experienced insomnia

This is one of the many reasons why we at Swift Childcare are here to develop the next generation of education professionals. Through the delivery of our Early Years Educator (EYE) apprenticeships we provide our learners with support to encourage a healthy wellbeing environment.

These statistics highlight the importance of creating a supportive working environment. As a training and recruitment provider we play a key role in this. Some of the ways we create this positive environment is by:

• Giving our apprentices 1-2-1 support throughout the duration of their course
• Providing information and guidance 
• Monthly check-in conversations
• Communicating with both the employer and apprentice to ensure the nursery environment is at a Swift standard
• Designated Safeguarding and Wellbeing lead at Swift

Find out more on how to develop your nursery setting by upskilling or recruiting an apprentice, get in touch with us today:

London: ll@swiftcc.co.uk 0203 475 3036

Birmingham: al@swiftcc.co.uk 0121 594 0459

Or visit swiftcc.co.uk/employers