News

Emergency childcare provision boosts employee job satisfaction and retention

More than six in ten employees experienced issues with childcare arrangements last year, according to a survey by Bright Horizons, which says that access to back-up childcare has a positive impact on employee retention.
Two-thirds of employees in Bright Horizons' client survey had experienced a breakdown in childcare arrangements PHOTO Adobe Stock
Two-thirds of employees in Bright Horizons' client survey had experienced a breakdown in childcare arrangements PHOTO Adobe Stock

The research found that breakdowns in care were common, with 67 per cent of respondents experiencing problems with childcare arrangements in the last year.

Bright Horizons said that while this is slightly lower than the 71 per cent in last year’s survey amid lockdowns, it shows the need for short notice care arrangements for workers, even when schools and early years settings are open.

Of those experiencing these childcare breakdowns, 58 per cent had a breakdown of five days or more. Twenty-eight per cent had a breakdown in their childcare arrangements of more than 10 days.

The Work+Family Snapshot 2022 survey, commissioned by work solutions and education provider Bright Horizons, also found that 58 per cent of employees said family has become a higher priority in the past 12 months. However, career progression was also a priority for respondents with 31 per cent saying that it had become more important to them in the last year.

Register now to continue reading

Thank you for visiting Nursery World and making use of our archive of more than 35,000 expert features, subject guides, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:

What's included

  • Free access to 4 subscriber-only articles per month

  • Unlimited access to news and opinion

  • Email newsletter providing activity ideas, best practice and breaking news

Register

Already have an account? Sign in here