Early Years Wales has released results from a survey detailing the levels of mental health and wellbeing amongst early years staff.
In September 2024, Early Years Wales released an insight survey to members designed to gauge an understanding of the current wellbeing issues facing people working in early years settings at all levels of practice in Wales. The survey was open for three weeks, asked members across Wales a series of closed and open questions about their mental health and wellbeing. Whilst this piece of research was designed to develop current understanding of the issues faced by our early years workforce, the distinct focus on mental health and wellbeing means that it is the first of its kind in Wales. The findings recorded were anonymised.
Results from this survey show that many people working across the early years sector experience negative mental health and wellbeing. They report that this is often caused by issues such as societal perception, lack of value and pay, and uncertainty about the future of their livelihoods.
"The pressure and workload in childcare is getting harder, there is a lack of staff"
"Staff are not recognised financially for what they do day to day."
The survey found however that despite the negative experience in mental health and wellbeing, staff in the sector remain incredibly resilient, showcasing a real love for their profession.
Practitioners care immensely about children, with inspirational quotes about the importance of the role performed by the sector coming to light.
"In combination with the massive increase in level of need displayed by young children, staff must spread themselves thinly. They love their jobs but struggle to balance the needs of all."
Early Years Wales is looking forward to continuing its work with the Welsh Government to ensure that the rights and needs of young children, and those who care for them are front and centre of policy formation as we look into the short-medium- and long-term future of funding.
"Since I've been CEO from 2020, the childcare sector has faced challenge after challenge. From the pandemic to the rapidly increasing costs due to inflation, to the financial uncertainty caused by years of static funding. I have heard time and again about how hard it is to manage budgets, support staff and continue to provide the high-quality services our members do for children and families across Wales. And yet, the commitment and drive to be in the settings and support children's play, learning and development is unquestionably there.
As the Welsh Government begin to focus on the next stages of childcare in Wales, recognising the pressure that staff feel, and supporting their wellbeing is vital. This is interlinked with recognising the contribution the practitioners make and addressing long-term low pay across the sector. We want the best provision for all children in Wales, and to realise this aspiration, we must have the best conditions for all practitioners and value their contribution to children and society more than ever."
- David Goodger, CEO, Early Years Wales
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Leo Holmes - Head of Policy and Advocacy