View in EDS

The Early Years Workforce in England: Annual Report 2026

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Title: The Early Years Workforce in England: Annual Report 2026
Language: English
Authors: Lillian Flemons, Jack Worth, National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER) (United Kingdom)
Source: National Foundation for Educational Research. 2026.
Availability: National Foundation for Educational Research. The Mere, Upton Park, Slough, Berkshire, SL1 2DQ, UK. Tel: +44-1753-574123; Fax: +44-1753-637280; e-mail: enquiries@nfer.ac.uk; Web site: http://www.nfer.ac.uk
Peer Reviewed: N
Page Count: 24
Publication Date: 2026
Sponsoring Agency: Nuffield Foundation (United Kingdom)
Document Type: Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: Early Childhood Education
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Early Childhood Education, Early Childhood Teachers, School Personnel, Faculty Development, Child Caregivers, Labor Force, Labor Turnover, Employment Qualifications, Salaries, Work Environment, Well Being, Employee Attitudes
Geographic Terms: United Kingdom (England)
ISBN: 978-1-916567-50-4
Abstract: The latest survey data suggests that early years staff numbers may have plateaued in 2025 after previous strong growth. This may indicate that workforce pressures are constraining the sector from making available the additional childcare places required to deliver the expanded entitlement. The relative attractiveness of the early years sector to higher qualified staff is also of particular concern, with low relative pay and limited opportunities for career progression being key factors that may mean the early years sector offers little long-term incentive for gaining higher qualifications. The aim of the National Foundation for Educational Research's (NFER) annual series of reports on the education workforce is to monitor progress towards meeting workforce supply challenges. This report summarises the latest research and key trends in early years staff numbers, recruitment, retention, pay and working conditions and points towards policy actions that are likely to have the greatest impact on addressing the challenges.
Abstractor: ERIC
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: ED679736
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:The latest survey data suggests that early years staff numbers may have plateaued in 2025 after previous strong growth. This may indicate that workforce pressures are constraining the sector from making available the additional childcare places required to deliver the expanded entitlement. The relative attractiveness of the early years sector to higher qualified staff is also of particular concern, with low relative pay and limited opportunities for career progression being key factors that may mean the early years sector offers little long-term incentive for gaining higher qualifications. The aim of the National Foundation for Educational Research's (NFER) annual series of reports on the education workforce is to monitor progress towards meeting workforce supply challenges. This report summarises the latest research and key trends in early years staff numbers, recruitment, retention, pay and working conditions and points towards policy actions that are likely to have the greatest impact on addressing the challenges.
ISBN:978-1-916567-50-4