Early-years professionals play an important role in shaping children’s confidence, development and future learning. But behind this important work is a workforce facing growing challenges around staffing, pay and career progression.
A February 2026 report from the National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER) found that early-years workforce growth is falling behind the estimated demand needed to support expanded childcare provision.
Its research also highlighted low pay compared with similar occupations and limited opportunities for career progression.
Read NFER’s Early Years Workforce in England Annual Report 2026.
Supporting the People Behind Early Education
When staff feel undervalued or struggle to see a future in their profession, retaining experienced people becomes more difficult.
Building a sustainable early-years workforce means investing in fair opportunities, professional development and employee wellbeing.
At Shoorah, we believe the people supporting children’s development deserve support themselves. Through our workplace wellbeing platform and Employee Assistance Programme, education organisations can provide staff with confidential counselling, advice and wellbeing resources.
While this cannot replace fair pay or address staffing shortages, it can be part of a wider commitment to looking after employees.
Because giving children the best start in life also means supporting the people who care for them.
