Early Years and Childcare Workforce
Workforce in Wales: 2010
In 2005 the Care Council published a new report looking at posts and qualifications of people working in early years and childcare services in Wales. The Early Years and Childcare Workforce Wales 2010 report provides an update on the current situation. While the research has aimed to replicate the original project, this report not only provides an updated assessment but a comparison with 2005 to provide a measurement of progress across the sector and an insight into current issues around training, qualifications, recruitment and retention.
Some key conclusions:
- There are approximately 17,700 people working in the Early Years and Childcare sector in Wales.
- The workforce has expanded by 8% since 2005.
- Full-time work in the sector is more common than it was 5 years ago.
- A fifth of early years and childcare workers have other jobs as well, mainly in related care or education work.
- The early years and childcare workforce does not reflect wider society in that it is predominantly staffed by White British, female employees. The number of Welsh-speaking employees is also lower.
- The age profile of the Early Years and Childcare workforce as a whole has changed since 2005 with far more workers aged 40 and over and fewer younger workers under the age of 25.
- The lack, however, of career progression opportunities beyond Level 3 is still a concern.
Contact us
For further information please contact earlyyears@ccwales.org.uk.
Resource
Early Years and Childcare Workforce in Wales Scoping and Mapping 2010