Connect Childcare, a provider of nursery management software, has launched a new survey titled “A Look into Early Years Staff Wellbeing.” This survey aims to gather valuable insights from early years professionals to better understand the wellbeing challenges they face in the workplace.

In a sector where the wellbeing of staff directly impacts the quality of care provided to young children, it is vital to recognise and address the pressures on early years educators. After reviewing existing research, Connect Childcare identified a significant gap in up-to-date data, with the most recent study available from 2022. This realisation sparked the initiative to collect fresh data and reignite the conversation around staff wellbeing.

A growing concern for early years educators

Wellbeing concerns within the early years sector have been highlighted by a range of issues, including:

• Regulatory inspections (e.g., Ofsted, Care Inspectorate Wales, or other regulatory bodies).
• Excessive paperwork and administrative tasks.
• Financial instability and concerns.
• Challenges in staff recruitment and retention.
• Lack of support and understanding in the workplace.
• Limited career progression opportunities.

“Our goal is to help bring the spark back to early years educators,” says Chris Reid, chief of Connect Childcare.

“To do that, we need to understand the root causes of the challenges faced by staff. This survey will help us gather the insights we need to develop solutions, whether through expert-led webinars or other supportive resources.”

Supporting wellbeing through expert collaboration

Connect Childcare is working closely with early years experts to create a variety of free resources to support staff wellbeing. In addition to the survey, the company is offering participants a complimentary downloadable report and access to an exclusive webinar featuring Childcare Guru Jamie Victoria. The webinar will provide actionable insights and strategies to foster positivity within the sector.

How to participate

Participation in the survey is quick, easy, and completely confidential. By sharing their experiences, early years professionals can help shine a light on the pressures that matter most and contribute to shaping the future of the sector. Those who provide their email address can pre-register to receive the early years staff wellbeing report directly upon its release.

To take part in the survey, visit https://bit.ly/3zCKvco. The survey closes on 18th October.

”