NURSERIES may not have enough staff to deliver the government’s expansion of free childcare, researchers have warned.

Workforce challenges must be addressed to ensure the early years sector can recruit and retain staff to meet the demands of the full rollout of the childcare expansion, says a report by the National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER).

The warning comes as eligible working parents in England become able to access 30 hours a week of free childcare for children older than nine months from today.

Early years providers have reported that low pay is among the obstacles to recruiting and retaining staff, the NFER study says.

They earn on average 36 per cent less than similar workers in 2022-23, according to the foundation.

National Association of Head Teachers general secretary Paul Whiteman said the government must put “significant effort” into improving the status and pay of early years roles.

NFER education workforce lead Jack Worth said: “The early years landscape is undergoing significant changes and increasing pressures.

“It is critical that workforce challenges in the sector are addressed, so that it can be both attractive enough to recruit new staff and also retain a higher level of staff to ensure it can meet the demands of the expanded free childcare entitlement.”

The NFER called on the government to continue increasing funding rates for early years providers to allow them to offer “competitive” wages and pay higher rates to staff with more experience and qualifications.

The Department for Education said: “Over the last year, we have continued to support the sector to grow through our reinvigorated recruitment campaign and all-new training routes to join the sector.”