Page 56 - Regional Employment & Skills Plan

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Early Years and Childcare
802 organisations provide early years and childcare services in South West and Mid Wales. 3,277 people work in the sector – 446 as childminders and 2,831 in children’s day care.52
Childminders Children’s day care Total
Number of providers
384 418 802
Workforce
446 2,831 3,277
High-quality early education and childcare has an important role in supporting greater long-term benefits for children and strongly influences their future life chances. The right early education and childcare can help to tackle some of the more entrenched issues that result from living in deprivation, including low skills and poor health that will take time to overcome. Fundamental to achieving high quality early years and childcare provision is a diverse and skilled workforce. The WG’s 10 years workforce development plan for early years, childcare and play; due to be published in November 2017, is anticipated to aim for a more qualified and professional workforce.
Accessible and affordable childcare enables parents to work and train which can help them contribute to the wider economy.
3.5.1 Employer Evidence
Recruitment and Retention
Employer evidence indicates that both recruitment and retention are significant issues for the Health and Social Care and Early Years and Childcare sectors. Workforce planning on a national and regional scale is seen as of critical importance to the future development of the sector.
52 Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales
Regional Employment & Skills Plan South West & Mid Wales Sector Profiles