The crisis is only going to deepen as more childcare providers cease to be active, increasing demand for parts and pushing prices even higher for families struggling with rising cost of living. Purnima Tanuku, CEO of NDNA, said: “Until recently, government underfunding was the main reason why nurseries were closed, but now we see more nurseries not being able to open because they can not have enough staff,” she said. “Every closure is catastrophic for local communities, parents and children. “They must not lose because the government has failed to invest in the workforce of the first years.” Her comments were widely criticized by the industry following a government proposal that nurseries in England could accept more infants without additional staff. At a cabinet meeting last week to reduce the cost of living, Boris Johnson called for a review of staff ratios for children in daycare – a proposal that was described as “ridiculous” and “offensive” by first-year providers. Tanuku said the prime minister’s plans were likely to force more skilled staff to leave the industry. “The suggestion that the best way to help families with costs is to improve the proportions is short-sighted. It will put more pressure on the workforce and put children at risk. “ About 95% of daycare centers say state funding does not cover their costs and 85% operate at a loss or rise, according to the NDNA. Now the recruitment crisis has reached a level that is forcing many nurseries to reduce their recruitment. Sam Sims, director at Rydal Day Nursery in North Somerset, was forced to close his kindergarten nursery in March for the first time, leaving 23 families without childcare. He said: “Once we had a lot of candidates when we were advertising, but today we can not attract staff and those who have the right qualifications do not come. The funding for the first years does not cover staff salaries, so nurseries across the industry cannot afford to pay more than the minimum wage. Asked what he would like to see from the government, he replied: “A huge recruitment effort, recognition of the importance of the first years and more funding.” Lisa Dobbs is a Wales-based NDNA network that runs Bridgend College Day Nursery. He said: “In our network meetings the main concern is recruitment. “Some smaller kindergartens had to reduce their opening hours and a very respectable kindergarten with 46 seats closed in our area due to financial pressures and staff pressures. “Unfortunately, many really experienced practitioners are leaving the profession.” The latest government figures show that in England there was a reduction of more than 300 nurseries between July 2020 and July 2021. In Scotland, Sharon Fairley, a daycare center owner and CEO of the Scottish Private Nursery Association, told the Observer that its members “could not attract professionals to work in the field”. In addition, people are leaving the profession for better paid jobs, as the low unemployment rate means it is a market for job seekers. Fairley, director of four day care centers in Edinburgh and West Lothian, said: “We have room for more children to meet the demand of working parents, but we can not guarantee that staff will meet the required proportions.” June O’Sullivan is the CEO of the London Early Years Foundation (LEYF) – a social enterprise that operates 39 daycare centers in some of the capital’s most run-down areas. He said: “If you are thinking about how to maintain an already shrinking workforce, loosening nursery staffing rates could be a death knell for so many people. The staff already feel undervalued and the existing funding is insufficient without this extra pressure. Will Queens, Minister of Children. Photo: Matt Crossick / Alamy “The recruitment crisis is the worst it has ever been. “The pool of skilled level 3 staff – the bread and butter staff – has really shrunk.” The agency has dropped a lot of staff across central London as people have been evicted from the high cost of travel and rent, he said. Previously 15% of its staff were Europeans, but many have now left the UK. Nicole Politi, who runs Portico Day Nurseries, is trying to hire staff for six vacancies in St. Helens and Lancashire, but has managed to interview one person in three weeks. He said: “We have no interest. “It has never been so difficult to attract people.” He says many nurseries are struggling amid rising energy bills and business interest rates. And while they have a waiting list in three of their kindergartens, they can not take on more children due to lack of staff. “This could jeopardize our free-funded positions and unfortunately children from low-income families will suffer,” he said. Official figures from Ofsted show that nurseries are closing at a higher rate in poor and disadvantaged neighborhoods. Children’s Minister Will Quince said he would not compromise on safety and quality in an effort to provide value for money for parents and taxpayers. A spokesman said the government was increasing the hourly rates received by childcare providers and had already announced έως 180 million to provide better education and support to staff working with preschool children. “We are aware of the concerns regarding the recruitment and retention of the workforce and are working with the industry to further explore how we can support providers in this area. “Ministers are considering all options to support parents with the availability and cost of childcare. “Any significant change in the regulations will be subject to consultation.”
