In October 2021, the Early Years Alliance conducted a survey on, staff recruitment and retention in the early years sector.

The survey received 1,395 responses from nurseries, pre-schools and some childminding settings based in England. 

You can view the full report at eyalliance.org.uk.

The survey found that:

• More than 8 in 10 settings are finding it difficult to recruit staff
• Around half have had to limit the number of, or stop taking on, new children at their setting over the 6 months prior to the survey
• Over a third of respondents are actively considering leaving the sector
• 1 in 6 believe that staffing shortages are likely to force their setting to close permanently within a year

Further from these findings: 84% of respondents are finding it difficult to recruit suitable new early years staff, with 60% finding it 'very difficult'. 

Not only do these figures have an effect on settings, the children also do not experience consistency within the nursery. A sector that focuses on the development of the next generation should project a good level of care and education which starts with the quality of staff. 

This is one of the many reasons why we at Swift Childcare are here to develop the next generation of education professionals. These statistics highlight the importance of the work we do through our childcare apprenticeships by recruiting and upskilling your staff.  

Find out more on how to develop your nursery setting by getting in touch with us today:

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

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

Or visit swiftcc.co.uk/employers