Early years teachers shortage

We have reported recently about the recruitment crisis being faced by many early years’ settings, also the difficulties practitioners are facing in gaining their level 3 qualifications because of G.C.S.E restrictions making gaining job positions and recruiting even more difficult putting a strain on settings and today comes another blow to the early year’s sector with a huge shortage of qualified early years teachers.

The report untapped potential released by Save the Children (2016) has stated how the early year’s sector is short of 10,000 early years teachers. This is a damning discovery as it means many children are not getting the levels of education they need during their preschool years and are therefore not reaching the expected levels of development for their age.

The importance of reaching the expected levels of development are crucial for children having a positive future and if these are not met at the end of the foundation stage children’s life chances are significantly lower. Early years teachers are able to boost practice and have the knowledge to support children in reaching expected levels. Some childcare workers and parents are arguing that early years teachers are not the only ones who can achieve this, and that many non-graduate practitioners are just as skilled in helping children meet their full potential and expected levels of development. Save the Children say that early years teachers are needed particularly in deprived areas as this is where they make the biggest difference. Graduate leaders help these children to reach their full potential and raise levels of practice across the setting.

Why is there a shortage?

Many are blaming the lack of early year’s teachers on the pay that they receive, many believe the pay does not meet the level of knowledge and training and therefore choose not to gain graduate status and train to be early year’s teachers. Many are calling to the government to invest more into children’s futures by supporting, encouraging and offering more incentive for practitioners to take the time to qualify as early year’s teachers. The number of those applying for early year’s teacher’s courses is reducing each year and this needs to be quickly addressed to ensure children are getting the full early years education they need.