Childcare staff 'lack training'

Parents depend on childcare to allow them to work

"Inadequately" trained staff are looking after children in many day-care and after-school play centres, claims a study.

Researchers from London University's Institute of Education have warned that there are "serious shortcomings" in the training of childcare staff.

Among the problems observed by research team, which studied 60 childcare services over two years, were bullying and racism, which inexperienced staff were unable or unwilling to tackle.

Researchers found staff who had "no understanding of multi-culturalism" and who did not take sufficient steps to prevent racial taunts between children.

There were also concerns over the services and support available to disabled children.

'Under-resourced'

The study, "Out-of-school lives, out-of-school-services", found that parents were glad to have access to childcare services, as it allowed them to return to work.

But that the quality of services available and the staffing provided were not always good enough.

"Many services are under-resourced - some need equipment, some have no outdoor play space and there is no guarantee that staff have the training and experience needed for this demanding work," said research leader, Dr Pat Petrie.

The report was welcomed by the Professional Association of Nursery Nurses (PANN), which echoed the "need for much greater investment in vetting and training recruits".

"There is certainly a need for a proper training, career and salary structure for childcarers in schools in order to recruit, develop and motivate people," said the association's professional officer, Tricia Pritchard.