Member

Without long-term investment and structural reform, the childcare sector cannot achieve the stability and sustainability required to meet the commitment in the programme for government to delivering “more affordable childcare”. Research from the Early Years, Care, Education and Play Employers’ Forum reveals a deeply troubling picture of workforce and operational challenges in Northern Ireland’s childcare sector. Nearly 50% of settings report vacancies, with many struggling to attract qualified candidates. Salaries for childcare roles often fail to reflect the responsibility involved, particularly in management roles, and the quality of applicants is often poor, with over half of job applicants deemed unsuitable. Retaining experienced staff remains difficult, with many employers resorting to strategies such as offering reduced hours or non-financial benefits to maintain their workforce. Rising costs mean that less than 1% of settings can offer pay increases as an incentive, leaving staff retention efforts constrained.