The authors of a new report from Phase 2 of the Coaching Early Conversation Interaction and Language (CECIL) project present findings from their recent evaluation.
According to a DfE report published in April 2022, Covid-19 has had a substantial impact on young children and the early years sector. Increasing numbers of children require additional support with speech and language and communication skills, which is compounded by severe staffing issues. Nearly three-quarters of private, voluntary and independent (PVI) nurseries and pre-schools have lost staff since the pandemic began, whilst their costs have increased. With the current cost of living crisis, this situation is likely to worsen.
Difficulties in recruiting and retaining staff has been a commonly reported challenge for early years settings over recent years (e.g., Guardian, Social Mobility Commission). A survey of nurseries and pre-schools by the Early Years Alliance in 2021 found that the majority (84%) were finding it difficult to recruit suitable new staff, with three-fifths (61%) saying they had experienced staffing shortages which had negatively impacted the quality of provision. In efforts to recruit and retain staff, a main concern for setting managers is being able to invest in professional development and training, especially for PVIs where such opportunities are rare and costly. Upskilling the workforce and retaining knowledge in the setting is essential for ensuring quality provision, helping practitioners feel valued and improving outcomes for children.
