CYP Now - Omicron surge sparks concerns over children’s workforce shortage

Rising cases of the omicron variant of Covid-19 across the UK has increased fears of staffing shortages in education, early years and children’s social care.

Staff shortages are caused by isolation due to testing positive for Covid-19. Picture: Adobe Stock

Some 218,724 cases of the virus were recorded yesterday (January 4) as schools and nurseries returned after the Christmas break.

Early years

June O’Sullivan, chief executive of the London Early Years Foundation (LEYF), warned that the organisation which runs 39 nurseries and pre-schools across the capital, was “nearly 100 staff short” due to the virus.

Speaking to CYP Now, O’Sullivan said that the number of LEYF staff off work due to isolation is equal to around 10 per cent of the workforce and that she predicts “we will be in this position for the rest of January”.

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