Call to boost flexible working in childcare sector to tackle staff shortages

Campaigners are calling for a drive to increase flexible and part-time working in the childcare sector in a bid to tackle a shortage of staff.

A study by Timewise suggested levels of part-time work across the early education and childcare sector have fallen over the past few years, making it harder for childcare educators who have caring responsibilities of their own to combine work and care.

Early years staff are working longer hours than people in comparable occupations like retail and hospitality, said Timewise, which campaigns for flexible working.

It added that childcare providers say they are struggling to recruit new workers, leaving the sector facing a "recruitment and retention crisis".

Timewise director of policy Clare McNeil said: "Even in time and resource-constrained nurseries, we have shown it is possible to create flexibility for staff which boosts morale and wellbeing."

"It is clear we need to increase part-time and flexible work to make the sector more competitive and to meet the staffing shortfall for the new entitlement."

"We are calling for flexible working to be placed front and centre of a new workforce strategy to attract more people into the early years sector and see early years professionals receive the conditions and respect they deserve."