Kindergartens in the United Kingdom are forced to close or reduce their services at an alarming rate because they are struggling to hire and retain staff, the National Day Nursery Association (NDNA) has warned.
The crisis will only deepen as more childcare providers go out of business, increasing demand for places and raising prices even higher for families struggling with rising living costs.
Purnima Tanuku, NDNA’s chief executive, said: “Until recently, underfunding from the government was the main reason why crèches stopped, but now we see more crèches that can’t open because they can’t hire enough staff,” she said.
“Any closure is detrimental to local communities, parents and children. They must not lose because the government has failed to invest in our workforce since the early years. “
Her comments follow widespread criticism from the industry over the government’s proposal that crèches in England can accommodate more young children without hiring additional staff.
At a cabinet meeting last week, Boris Johnson called for a review of the crèche’s ratio of staff to children, a proposal that was labeled “ridiculous” and “offensive” by young providers.
Tanuku said the prime minister’s plans are likely to force more qualified staff to leave the sector. “The suggestion that the best way to help families with costs is to confuse relationships is short-sighted. This will put more pressure on the workforce and put children at risk. “
About 95% of crèches say government funding does not cover their costs, and 85% work at a loss or to perfection, the NDNA said. Now the staffing crisis has reached a level that is forcing many crèches to reduce their admissions.
Sam Sims, manager of Rydal Day Nursery in North Somerset, was forced to close the nursery at the kindergarten in March for the first time, leaving 23 families without childcare.
She said: “We used to have a lot of candidates when we advertised, but nowadays we can’t attract staff and those with the right qualifications don’t come. Funding for the early years does not cover staff salaries, so crèches across the sector cannot afford to pay more than the minimum wage. “
Asked what she would like to see from the government, she said: “A huge incentive to recruit, recognize the importance of early years and more funding.”
Lisa Dobbs is an NDNA network chair based in Wales and runs Bridgend College Day Kindergarten. She said: “In our online meetings, the main concern is recruitment.
“Some smaller crèches had to reduce their working hours, and a respected 46-seat kindergarten closed in our area due to financial and staff pressure. Unfortunately, many really experienced practitioners are leaving the profession. “
The latest government figures show that there was a drop in more than 300 crèches in England between July 2020 and July 2021.
In Scotland, Sharon Fairley, a kindergarten owner and CEO of the Scottish Private Children’s Association, told the Observer that its members “cannot attract professionals to work in the sector”.
In addition, people are leaving the profession for better paid jobs, as the low unemployment rate means that it is a market for jobseekers.
Fairley, director of four crèches in Edinburgh and West Lothian, said: “We have room for more children to meet the demand of working parents, but we cannot guarantee that staff meet the required proportions.
June O’Sullivan is the CEO of the London Early Years Foundation (LEYF), a social enterprise that manages 39 crèches in some of the capital’s most needy areas.
She said: “If you are thinking about how to keep an already shrinking workforce, easing the staffing ratio in crèches could be the death knell for so many people. Staff already feel undervalued and existing funding is insufficient without this additional pressure.
Will Queens, the children’s minister. Photo: Matt Krosik / Alami
“The recruitment crisis is the worst it has ever been. The recruitment of qualified third-level staff – the bread and butter staff – has really shrunk. ”
The organization has laid off many staff in central London as people have been driven out by the high cost of travel and rent, she said. 15% of its staff used to be Europeans, but many have now left the UK.
Nicole Politis, who runs Portico Day, tried to hire six vacancies in St. Helens and Lancashire, but managed to interview only one person in three weeks. She said: “We have no interest. It’s never been so hard to attract people. “
She says many crèches are struggling amid rising energy bills and business tariffs. And while they have a waiting list in three of their crèches, they can’t take in more children due to lack of staff. “This could jeopardize our free funded places, and unfortunately children from low-income families will suffer,” she said.
Official data from Ofsted show that crèches are closing at a higher rate in poor and disadvantaged neighborhoods.
Children’s Minister Will Queens said he would not compromise on safety and quality in an effort to ensure value for money for parents and taxpayers.
A spokesman said the government had increased the hourly rates paid to childcare providers and had already announced up to £ 180 million to provide better training and support for staff working with pre-school children.
“We are aware of the concerns about recruiting and retaining labor and are working with the sector to further explore how we can support suppliers in this area.
“Ministers are considering all options to support parents with the availability and cost of childcare. Any significant change in regulations will be subject to consultation. “
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