Campaigning for our early years professionals 

The early years play a pivotal role in shaping the future of society, by nurturing the youngest members during their most formative years. Despite the significance of this profession, the individuals working in the early years sector often face challenges related to their pay and terms of employment. Raising awareness about these issues is crucial – not only for the wellbeing of the dedicated professionals in this field, but also for the overall quality of early childhood education and care.

Early years professionals contribute significantly to the cognitive, emotional and social development of children during their crucial early years. These educators and caregivers create a foundation for future learning and success, making their role invaluable to society. However, the disparity between the importance of their work and the terms under which they are employed is a pressing issue that demands attention.

Some of the challenges faced by early years professionals include: 

Low pay scales: many professionals working in the early years sector receive salaries that do not reflect the significance of their work. Low pay scales can lead to high turnover rates, as talented professionals may be compelled to seek higher-paying opportunities elsewhere. Most early years professionals are on the National Minimum Wage – below even the National Living Wage and not meeting the current cost of living.

Limited job security: the lack of job security can create stress and uncertainty for early years professionals, impacting their ability to provide consistent and quality care to the children they serve. Job insecurity also hinders the establishment of strong, enduring relationships between caregivers and children.

Inadequate training opportunities: continuous professional development is essential in any field, but limited opportunities for training and advancement in the early years sector can hinder the growth and effectiveness of professionals. Investing in ongoing training programs is crucial for maintaining a high standard of care.

Impact

The issues surrounding pay and terms in the early years sector do not only affect the professionals themselves; they also have a direct impact on the quality of early childhood education and care.

Insufficiently compensated professionals may experience burnout, leading to decreased enthusiasm and effectiveness in their roles. This, in turn, can affect the overall learning environment for children, potentially hindering their developmental progress.

Early Years Charter

At Community, we have identified that the early years sector needs change. We believe that the way for us to help bring about change is through our Early Years Charter – which we have now launched in both England, at Westminster, and in Wales, at the Senedd.

Our Charter campaigns for:

• recognition that early years staff and nannies are educators not babysitters;
• recognition of the specialised work that early years staff and nannies undertake;
• increased funding for early years settings that adequately covers the cost of provision;
• improved wages for staff in recognition of the specialised work they do and to support recruitment and retention into the sector;
• raising the profile of nannies and other early years professionals to address the recruitment and retention crisis; and
• streamlined professional development opportunities for staff.

By launching in both Westminster and Cardiff, we have spoken to MPs and MSs to gain their backing in raising these issues with government, and to highlight how we need to advocate for change through the following.

Raising public awareness: by shedding light on the challenges faced by early years professionals, we can build public support for improving pay and terms in this sector. Increased awareness can lead to a greater appreciation of the vital role these individuals play in society.

Political advocacy: engaging with policymakers and advocating for reforms in the early years sector can lead to policy changes that address issues such as fair compensation, improved job security, and enhanced training opportunities.

Collaboration within the sector: Encouraging collaboration between professionals, employers, and relevant organisations can foster a collective effort to address and find solutions to the challenges faced by those working in the early years sector.

At Community, we feel raising awareness on the importance of improving pay and terms in the early years sector is not just a matter of justice for the dedicated professionals involved – it is an investment in the wellbeing and future success of the children they care for.

By advocating for change, we can contribute to creating a more supportive and rewarding environment for early years professionals, ultimately benefiting the entire society.

Early Years Charter launch at the Senedd

Sign up to our Charter!

If you haven’t already, please show your support and sign up to our Early Years Charter here .  

If you are a member of Community and need help or advice, please contact us at help@community-tu.org or on 0800 389 6332.