Job vacancies across early years up by 146% on pre-pandemic levels, says REC
by Jess Gibson
The Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) has stated that, in January 2024, job vacancies for the early years had increased by 146.2% on pre-pandemic levels. Active job postings for early education and childcare assistants were up 30.2% in the same period.鈥
Demand for workers rebounded in January after a lull in the labour market at the end of 2023, according to the latest REC and Lightcast Labour Market Tracker.
The research also showed that, between December 2023 and January 2024:
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there was a 4.2% increase in the number of active postings 鈥 exceeding 1.8 million
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there was a 27.9% increase in the number of new job postings
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Tower Hamlets (20.3%), Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon (19.4%) and Newry, Mourne and Down (14.3%) had the highest growth in job postings
This data has raised concerns in the sector around worker shortages, with the research suggesting that these shortages could both hinder young people鈥檚 life chances and the chances of parents returning to work.
Commenting, Early Years Alliance CEO Neil Leitch said: "Today鈥檚 research from the Recruitment and Employment Confederation showing that active job postings for early years practitioners were up by 146.2% on pre-pandemic levels is extremely concerning, yet not at all surprising.鈥濃
鈥淔or years now, the early years sector has had to survive on shoestring funding rates, resulting in consistently low levels of pay across the sector. Is it any wonder then that experienced educators are leaving in their droves and settings are struggling to recruit?
鈥淣ow, with less than two months until the start of the early entitlement expansion, it鈥檚 clear that it will be virtually impossible for settings to recruit enough staff to meet demand in time for the April roll out. However, had the government listened to the sector sooner and put a long-term staffing plan in place 鈥 alongside funding levels that reflected delivery costs 鈥 it would have given settings a much better chance to prepare.鈥
"It is absolutely critical, therefore, that the government recognises just how dire the situation has become and puts in place meaningful action as soon as possible. Without this, not only is the future of the sector in jeopardy but those who will benefit most from early years education are even more likely to lose out."