R is for Recruitment – The ABC of Early Years Education

Staff shortages in the early years sector are well-documented. And with thousands of openings available for those looking to work within the industry, attracting — and retaining — quality practitioners within a setting has become increasingly important.
But despite the challenging recruitment market, there are several ways nurseries can enhance their attractiveness to potential employees and reap the rewards of a loyal and engaged workforce.
- Communicate your mission, vision, and values
Sharing what makes your setting a special place to work, helps you to stand out in a crowded market. It gives potential employees an insight into the workplace culture, and an opportunity to visualise themselves as part of it.
- Know who your ‘perfect person’ would be
Being clear about who would make a great fit, helps to attract the most suitable candidates. Whether you’re looking for an experienced practitioner or someone earlier in their career journey, providing a precise description of your offer — and how the right person can benefit from it — helps to ensure that applicants are relevant to the job at hand.
- See your website as a valuable recruitment tool
Ensuring that contact details, vacancies, and any notable credentials are easy to locate is important. Your website creates a first impression, and candidates can be put off by clunky processes.
- Advertise in all the right places
There’s a vast array of recruitment tools available for those within the childcare sector — make good use of them!
The ABC of Early Years Education - FREE Download
Share this article

About the Author
Claudio Sisera, with 12 years in Early Years education, now leads Diversity and Inclusion at Male Childcare & Teaching Jobs. He advocates for more men in early years, supports the existing workforce through mentorship, and helps nurseries attract and include male professionals.
Latest Posts
Newsletter sign up
Get all the latest Connect news and updates to your inbox.