A Tyneside nursery manager has launched a campaign to improve regulation in the early years sector. Deanne Cook, executive childcare manager at Northumbria University Nursery in Newcastle city centre, told ChronicleLive she was spurred into action after hiring young staff who had been, in her words, "exploited".
Petition and social media push
Deanne has started a petition and a number of social media accounts dedicated to raising awareness of the need for better workplace regulation in the sector. She explained that, in the weeks since launching the campaign, she had been inundated with "horror stories" from around the country.
She said she feared that young people were coming to work in early years straight out of school and college, and that this was often taken advantage of. Her petition calls for the issue to be debated by politicians in the House of Commons.
Concerns over employment rights
Describing the petition, she said: "There are concerns that employment rights are not being enforced in the private early years sector, both by level 2 and 3 qualified staff, and managers and leaders. We therefore call for a review of employment law awareness and enforcement of the law in the Early Years sector."
She has added that she wants to see employment practices scrutinised more closely by Ofsted. Deanne added: "There are repeated examples of poor practice, including excessive hours for young workers, lack of contracts, no breaks and unpaid training. We believe that workforce shortages exacerbate these issues, and that whilst safeguarding and recruitment are closely monitored, there is insufficient focus on employment law."
Personal experience sparked campaign
Deanne told ChronicleLive how the campaign was sparked after a young member of staff working for her had been through an exploitative situation. She has chosen not to name the employer responsible.
However, she said: "This prompted a little bit of reflection on my behalf. No-one talks about this and I think there's a massive gap in the sector. There needs to be a two-pronged approach and I don't think people know what they are signed up for. Often it's something that you get into straight out of school and you don't know what you're entitled to."
"Childcare is obviously a regulated sector. and there are checks for safe recruitment, but no-one comes to check that employers give staff the treatment they are entitled to"
"I have started a TikTok talking about the issue. There have been so many messages - and some real horror stories. Nurseries are facing a massive recruitment crisis and I think it is related to this. Staff end up expected to work ten hour days with few breaks. So many nurseries will make staff eat lunch while in the room with children. It's not acceptable."
Petition progress and next steps
The petition is available online and currently has 820 signatures. It will receive a formal response if it gains 1,000 - and it will be debated if it hits 10,000.
The Department for Education has been approached for comment.
