To ask the Minister of Education to detail any specific measures, proposed within the Draft Early Learning and Childcare Strategy, to address recruitment and retention challenges within the early years workforce.

The draft Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) Strategy, currently issued for public consultation, sets out proposals that will support the recruitment and retention challenges facing the sector under Theme 3: Supporting the Early Years Sector and Workforce

Key proposals include:-

The Development of a comprehensive early learning and childcare Workforce Plan to support the development of the current workforce and incentivise early learning and childcare as a valued career choice.

Establishing a clear qualification and career framework with enhanced CPD and leadership pathways.

Promoting professionalisation of the sector, including a representative body.

In conjunction with the ‘Good Jobs’ priority in DfE’s Economic Vision, promote the Real Living Wage with early learning and childcare employing organisations.

The full Strategy can be accessed here:

draft Northen Ireland Early Learning and Childcare Strategy