11% Of Early Years Staff Are Actively Job Hunting – Why Are They Leaving?
The recent reinstatement of functional skills as an alternative to GCSEs in English and maths has been widely welcomed in tackling recruitment challenges. Much more, however, remains to be done
Ceeda’s research with more than 4,000 early years staff in private, voluntary and independent (PVI) preschools and nurseries in the last 12 months shows over one in 10 are actively job hunting (9%) or want to leave as soon as possible (2%).
Why are they leaving?
Dissatisfaction with pay and benefits tops the table of reasons why staff are considering a move; 70% say this is mainly or partly the cause. Low pay continues to be a major challenge for the sector, as highlighted in a recent report by the Low Pay Commission. Workforce research by the Pre-school Learning Alliance flags inadequate funding levels as the leading driver of low pay.
We know that job satisfaction and staff retention is also about more than financial reward. Over two-thirds of potential leavers (68%) say their contribution is not recognised at work, 57% say communication is not effective, and 56% feel their views are not heard.
The sector comprises mainly small organisations, often without dedicated HR roles. Staff promoted to supervisory positions need the relevant training and support to manage, motivate and develop their teams; this feedback would suggest management development is a major priority going forward.
Knowing how you can ‘get on’ in an organisation is important and this research shows barriers to progression are frustrating experienced staff: 64% of people looking to move are doing so because they feel prospects for progression are limited. One in two say their skills are not put to full use (50%) and 49% are seeking more opportunities to use their initiative.
Worryingly, 56% report that the pressures of the job and negative impacts of work on their personal life (61%) are fuelling their job search.
Where will they go?
The research was carried out in PVI settings; 40% of staff planning a move were looking to remain in this part of the sector. A similar proportion were considering a move to a maintained primary or nursery school (41%) and 51% of job-hunters were looking outside the sector altogether; respondents could choose more than one option. Those looking beyond the sector were mainly considering employment in secondary or higher education (33%), health and social care (30%) and retail (20%).
The Early Years Workforce Strategy published by the DfE in March this year recognised some of the challenges raised in this research. Many questions remain unanswered, however, including perhaps the most fundamental one: how will the new early years national funding formula impact on the sector’s ability to offer the competitive pay and rewards needed to build strong and sustainable provision across the country?
Neil Leitch, chief executive at the Pre-school Learning Alliance says: “If we are to build and maintain a quality early years sector, we need to be able to both attract and retain quality staff – and the only way providers can do that is with sufficient funding. If the government truly values the early years, it must deliver the investment needed to develop and sustain a high-quality professional workforce and give practitioners the support and recognition that they deserve.”
Key figures
Why are early years staff seeking alternative employment?
- 70% are unhappy with pay and benefits.
- 68% feel their contribution isn’t fully recognised.
- 64% believe their opportunities to progress are limited.
- 61% say work is negatively impacting their personal life.
- 57% feel communication is ineffective.
Dr Jo Verrill is managing director at Ceeda.
Ceeda believes families deserve well-informed early years education and childcare policies that support the life chances of every child. If you agree, get involved with ‘About Early Years’, its major new sector research programme. To find out more, email Jo at aboutearlyyears@ceeda.co.uk, call 0845 680 0631 or visit aboutearlyyears.co.uk. Follow Ceeda on Twitter at @ceeda_uk.
