Features

Understanding staffing challenges – and finding solutions

New data compiled by specialist research company CACI provides insights into the demographics of nursery staff and suggests strategies when it comes to boosting recruitment and retention in the sector.
'Staffing is now such a key issue that it needs to be factored into decisions around where business should be operating and acquiring nurseries,' says Paul Langston.
'Staffing is now such a key issue that it needs to be factored into decisions around where business should be operating and acquiring nurseries,' says Paul Langston.

We have all witnessed the recruitment and staffing crisis in the nursery sector, and it was a recurring issue raised at the Nursery World Business Summit earlier this year. Many of CACI’s clients are saying recruitment is an increasing challenge that is hampering business. In parallel sectors our clients are facing similar challenges, and some are closing sites that have faced ongoing recruitment issues.

As a result, businesses are doing everything they can to be more tempting. Examples include interest-free loans, support with housing and travel costs, and more flexible rotas. While these schemes are commendable, they play a part in a negative spiral of rising costs, in a context of global product supply issues, and cannot be seriously considered as long-term solutions.

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