Pre-school Education: Staff

(asked on 26th October 2016) - View Source

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to increase the number of qualified early years staff in preparation for the proposed changes to entitlement to free childcare places.


Answered by
Caroline Dinenage Portrait
Caroline Dinenage
This question was answered on 2nd November 2016

The government has prioritised supporting the early years workforce to increase in size, and grow in quality.

In 2014 we introduced the Early Years Educator level 3 qualification. The most recent Childcare and Early Years Provider Survey from 2013 showed that 87% of staff in full day care settings are now qualified to at least level 3. This is an increase from 75% in 2008.

In 2013 we introduced the early years initial teacher training programme which leads to the award of Early Years Teacher Status. We have made a significant investment in this programme by providing funding for course fees and bursaries to eligible trainees, and also funding for employers to support trainees. The number of graduates in the workforce continues to rise, and between 2008 and 2013 the proportion of full day care staff with a degree or higher increased from 5% to 13%.

The forthcoming workforce strategy will set out the Government’s plans to remove barriers to attracting, retaining and developing staff in the early years.

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