Mothers in Business published March 31, 2022
The staff shortages in early childhood education makes it more difficult for parents to work, members of Mothers in Business report in the network’s survey (n = 589). A shortage of skilled employees can lead to the need to shorten working hours, work while taking care of children or postpone returning to work from family leave.
A quarter (24%) of those who responded to the Mothers in Business membership survey say their family has been asked to keep their child at home or to pick them up earlier due to staff shortage. In addition, one sixth of career-oriented mothers report that they have reduced their working hours for reasons related to the quality or availability of early childhood education. Similarly, one sixth states that they have postponed returning to work for reasons related to the quality or availability of early childhood education.
“Staff challenges in early childhood education are directly reflected in the careers and salary development of women, as it is often mothers who shorten their working days and extend their parental leave. Early childhood education is both a right for the child and an enabler for the parents to work. If the staff shortage in early childhood education is not addressed, how can we expect the government's employment targets for mothers of young children to be met?” asks Sanna Kranjc, Chairman of the Board of Mothers in Business.
Concern for the child is reflected in the working day of every fifth career-oriented mother
20 percent of the respondents say they are concerned about their child's well-being in early childhood education during the working day.
“Our members are particularly concerned about the turnover of familiar adults and the uncertainty and competence of substitutes. The survey shows that also those who already have early childhood education in place for their children are concerned about the future”, Kranjc says.
At worst, respondents say that daycares have already accumulated so-called “care debt”, as continuously changing substitutes and instability have caused bullying and disorder.
The stability and competence of staff is important for parents
According to mothers, their expectations and the actual quality of early childhood education are particularly misaligned in terms of staff stability and competence. 88 percent of career-oriented mothers considered qualified, familiar, and permanent staff to be very important. However, only 28 percent think that these qualifications are met. Respondents to the survey were more satisfied with the pedagogical quality and the location of early childhood education.
“Early childhood professionals do valuable and demanding work for our children. We leave our most precious treasures in the care of these professionals, and they must have the right to do their jobs well and enjoy their work. Compensation in the sector must be brought to a level that engages and attracts professionals. It is also important to invest in leadership and well-being at work” Kranjc says.
Additional information
Sanna Kranjc, 0505351988, sanna.kranjc@mib.fi
Mothers in Business (MiB) is a nationwide network that supports career-oriented mothers in balancing work and family. MiB’s aim is to provide opportunities for skills development, networking and career advancement. Currently, the network has over 4000 members and hundreds of volunteers throughout Finland.
MiB International is a project that aims to develop MiB’s modes of operation to meet the needs of international career-oriented mothers living in Finland and to engage in societal advocacy towards a more inclusive and equal Finnish working life.
