Alma Economics was commissioned by the Welsh Government to map the childcare and playwork workforce in Wales. This research aimed to understand the current and future composition of the sector's workforce and involved three main components: analysing current data on the workforce, projecting future workforce needs based on anticipated changes in demand and policy, and engaging with workforce members through a survey, interviews, and focus groups to gather their experiences.

A mixed-methods approach was used, combining analysis of existing data with primary data collected through stakeholder engagement. The project was divided into two phases:

Phase 1: Scoping Research and Data Analysis

This phase began with scoping interviews with Welsh Government officials and other stakeholders to gather contextual understanding and material. Then, a comprehensive desk-based review of the sector was conducted, covering capacity, service provision, and emerging challenges and opportunities. All identified data sources were thoroughly analysed to develop a quantitative description of the childcare and play workforce, accompanied by a gap analysis against key research questions.

Phase 2: Primary Research and Model Development

This phase included conducting a survey, stakeholder interviews, and focus groups to gather detailed information on the workforce's characteristics. Semi-structured interviews and focus groups were conducted with setting managers, childcare practitioners, playworkers, and childminders across Wales who provided qualitative data on their experiences working in the sector, their qualifications, as well as challenges and opportunities.

The work resulted in a detailed report to help policymakers understand the current workforce composition and projected changes in demand. Our work thus identified opportunities and barriers to meeting the Welsh Government’s ambition to provide good-quality early childhood play, learning, and care to all children in Wales.

➥ Read our full report here.