Unison Calls On Government To Raise The Wage Bar For Early Years Workers, UK

Main Category: Public Health
Article Date: 11 Nov 2008 - 8:00 PST

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UNISON, the UK's leading public sector union, today (11 November) welcomed the findings of a Daycare Trust and TUC report* outlining the future for the early years workforce. The union is urging the Government to reverse the trend of low pay and lack of training opportunities for staff working with children under five.

Christina McAnea, UNISON Head of Education, said:

"Early years staff are crucial to ensuring our children get the best start in life, and it is time that the value of their work was recognised. However, this report highlights that low pay is still endemic to the sector. The Government needs to realise that if it wants first class education and care for children under-five it has to improve pay rates. Tackling low pay in the childcare sector must be a key part of the children's workforce strategy report.

"To attract well qualified staff to the sector, and keep them working with children, we must have a sound career and training structure for all early years workers."

UNISON