GMCA launches brand new campaign to recruit and retain talent in early education and childcare

Early years education is a vital sector that shapes the futures of over 174,000 children under the age of five across Greater Manchester. Reliable childcare allows parents and caregivers to work: it is essential in supporting families and contributing to growing the city-region's economy.

However, the sector continues to face challenges on a national scale. The Department for Education has predicted that an extra 40,000 professionals will be needed in early education roles by September 2025.

To help boost local numbers, the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) has launched the new #GMEarlyEducation campaign. The campaign celebrates and champions people working in early education and childcare across the city-region, highlighting the personal impact they make on the lives of children and families across Greater Manchester, as well as driving recruitment across the city-region.

The campaign sits alongside significant investment in training and the creation of clear career pathways. These pathways are designed to strengthen the local early education and childcare workforce, and make careers in the sector more accessible, valued, and rewarding.

The Greater Manchester Early Years Workforce Competency Framework and the Greater Manchester Baccalaureate are two of the innovative proposals supporting parents and caregivers so that our children are given the best opportunities to thrive:  

• The Greater Manchester Early Years Workforce Competency Framework: a comprehensive training and support package aimed at empowering early years professionals and improving the quality of early years education, launching in early 2025
• The Greater Manchester Baccalaureate (MBacc): an alternative to the traditional education route which provides clear and accessible pathways into qualifications and skilled jobs within sectors including education and early years

Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said:

“Working with children under the age of five is one of the most important, and most rewarding, careers out there. When we get this right, children start school ready to learn and thrive. 

“This is challenging work too, and we recognise the immense pressures the sector faces, both here in Greater Manchester and across the country. That’s why we’re committed to supporting early educators through the Early Years Workforce Competency Framework and the MBacc.

“I’m so proud of the dedication, resilience, and passion shown by early years professionals across Greater Manchester. Your work is truly inspiring, and you are making a difference every single day for children, families, and communities. The work you do is essential for the future of our city-region.”

The GMCA’s new campaign celebrates the existing workforce, centring the voices of early educators to highlight the personal impact they make on the lives of children and families across our city-region, whilst providing a solution to support the government in meeting its target.

Reesa Nawas, Managing Director at Golden Petals Pre-School in Oldham, said:

“I really enjoy working with every staff member, every parent, and catering for the child’s needs. Seeing the children grow is a miracle. It’s the foundation stage, and I wanted to make a difference - I want them to learn today to build tomorrow.”

Early education plays a crucial role in developing children’s social skills, emotional resilience, and language and communication skills while supporting them to be happy, healthy and to thrive. Across Greater Manchester, over 53,000 children under the age of five are already accessing childcare and supported by a workforce of 2,600 registered childcare providers including nurseries, pre-schools and childminders.

Cllr Mark Hunter, GMCA Portfolio Lead for Young People, said:

“Our early education campaign is a great celebration of our existing workforce and aims to encourage residents across the city-region, from school-age and above, to consider a career in the sector.

“Across Greater Manchester, early education plays a vital role in supporting our children to develop and enable our families to access childcare. But we face challenges we making sure there are enough places.

“Early education helps children build resilience, develop relationships and understand emotions.  It can support communication and language development; an essential life skill that directly impacts on a young child’s ability to learn, make friends and their future life chances.

“Working in early education and childcare is a challenging and rewarding career choice, but most importantly, gives you the opportunity to help build the foundations for a child’s health, wellbeing and attainment."

Notes to Editors

The Early Education and Childcare Workforce campaign is part of a wider GMCA initiative to ensure that every child in Greater Manchester has the best start in life and starts school ready to learn and thrive.

Families and prospective early educators can find out more about career opportunities, training and other available support through the GMCA’s Early Education Campaign page.

The webpage also provides further information about the campaign and how to get involved. Join us in celebrating the heroes of early years and building a brighter future for Greater Manchester’s youngest residents.

Article Published: 18/12/2024 12:04 PM