£1M funding for Scottish early years workforce development
By News Scotland, , ,

The Scottish Government has announced it is to invest £1 million to develop the early years workforce following the publication an independent review.

The ‘Independent Review of the Scottish Early Learning and Childcare Workforce and Out of School Care Workforce’ found that early years carers have the fewest qualifications and lowest pay in the childcare sector.

The review was produced by children’s expert Professor Iram Siraj (pictured) and outlined her 15-year vision to reform the workforce. It recommended workers should be paid at least the living wage, have appropriate qualifications and have better career opportunities.

Education Secretary Angela Constance has now earmarked £1 million to implement some of the review’s recommendations around early years staff development.

She said: “The early years are a crucial point in a child’s development, therefore it is vital that we invest in those tasked with caring for and educating our young children.

“By boosting skills and recognising the value of the early-years workforce, we will attract the brightest and best to the sector.

“I’m pleased we can allocate £1 million to continue staff development in the sector.”

Following publication on the Review, Professor Siraj said: “I know that some of my recommendations will be challenging but I am confident that, when implemented, they will result in a stronger, higher-quality workforce – and that this will, in turn, improve the public’s confidence in the sector. In addition to the benefits for Scotland’s children and families, it will also have a positive impact on the wider economy.”

Jean Carwood-Edwards, CEO of Early Years Scotland, and member of the Core Reference Group involved in the review, said: “Early Years Scotland welcomes Scottish Government’s commitment and willingness to support this independent review.

“Working with, or on behalf of Scotland’s children is the greatest privilege and the most important job that anyone can do. What happens in the earliest years of a child’s life determines to a large extent, the quality and direction of their future life path.

“These first months and years are therefore critical for children, communities and society at large. It is for this reason that we must invest in children, and in so doing, must also invest in our workforce to ensure that they are valued, highly skilled, qualified and equipped for this rewarding and challenging role.”

However, the proposals drew some criticism from Carol Ball, chair of UNISON Scotland education issues group. She said: “This is the second major review of the early years and childcare workforce in less than ten years and the Commission for Childcare reform has also published its interim findings.

“The recommendations in this report are similar to those in previous reports.

“When a similar childcare and early learning workforce review was published 2006 UNISON accepted we had to allow time for the private and voluntary sectors to catch up, for example,  to work towards a better qualified workforce.

“This is now long enough. We cannot wait another 15 years for change. We need to set minimum qualifications for all childcare and early learning workforce at HNC level.”

“It’s now time to get on with delivering a national childcare service that we can all be proud of.

“We cannot just keep planning for the next generation and ignoring the needs of today’s young children and families. Our children deserve better.”

The union published its own childcare charter in March this year which also called for better pay, conditions and training for the childcare workforce.

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