Retention of early years practitioners in day nurseries

Simms, MC, 2010. Retention of early years practitioners in day nurseries. PhD, Nottingham Trent University.

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Abstract

This study investigates the attitudes, values and perceptions of early years practitioners, to question what factors cause them to remain in day nurseries when research indicates a general undervaluing of practitioner needs (Cameron, Owen, Moss 2001). The study sits within the broader context of retention at a time when practitioners are constantly affected by change in the sector. The passion of practitioners in the research is evident, so too is the exploitation of it. The importance of the investigation lies in recognising that raising the quality of provision through qualifications pays no regard to the emotional needs of early years practitioners. If, as this study suggests, some practitioners are stressed at work, this has the potential to affect colleagues and children. If the only time we pay heed is when allegations of malpractice surface, we will have to wait for more children and practitioners to suffer before anything is done to address the situation. The wellbeing of early years practitioners has been brought into question through this investigation. I suggest that the absence of professional wellbeing negates any attempt to recruit or retain early years practitioners to work in day nurseries. Those of us who are concerned with the welfare and education of children should focus for a moment on the welfare of practitioners who provide their education and care. Those who are able must be proactive in offering funded creative opportunities for reflective practice with the aims of assuring practitioners that we value them and care enough to help safeguard their wellbeing.

Item Type:	Thesis
Creators:	Simms, M.C.
Publisher:	Nottingham Trent University
Place of Publication:	Nottingham
Date:	2010
Rights:	This work is the intellectual property of the Margaret Christine Simms author. You may copy up to 5% of this work for private study, or personal, noncommercial research. Any re-use of the information contained within this document should be fully referenced, quoting the author, title, university, degree level and pagination. Queries or requests for any other use, or if a more substantial copy is required, should be directed to the owner of the Intellectual Property Rights.
Divisions:	Schools > School of Education
Record created by:	EPrints Services
Date Added:	09 Oct 2015 09:35
Last Modified:	09 Oct 2015 09:35
URI:	https://irep.ntu.ac.uk/id/eprint/209

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