Most people in the settings are women, with the largest proportion of men as paid employees (12.5%) and volunteers (26.1%) in out of school clubs.

The percentage of the male workforce in out of schools clubs has changed by -2% over the 2001-2003 period.

Percentage of male workforce in childcare and early years provision, 2003

Source: SureStart 2004, table 4.3. Based on MORI.

In general, people employed in the early years and childcare sector are aged 25 and above, with the majority of people being between 25 and 39 years old. Exceptions are volunteers in independent day nurseries where 60.7% are under 25 and paid support staff in schools where 42.6 % are 40 to 49 years of age. In contrast to the mature workforce, the Early Years NTO reported a lack of funding for mature adult learners, as funding is mainly available for 16–20 year olds.

The proportion of day nursery workers from ethnic minority backgrounds approximates that of the population as a whole (10%).

Source: International Evidence Project 2003

Ethnic minorities in the childcare, education and playwork sector, 2003

Source: Calculations by Heike Behle (IER) using the Labour Force Survey 2003 (SOC 2000 = 612).

The Labour Force survey reveals that for the childcare, education and playwork sector the proportion of white staff is higher than in the overall U.K. workforce. Only 1.2% of the childcare, education and playwork workforce is from an Asian/British Asian background (compared to 4% of the general U.K. workforce).

9.1 % of the employees in the sector were disabled, which is approximately representative for the whole workforce (9%). The percentage of the childminders in the paid workforce with a disability has increased by 1% over the 2001-2003 period.

Percentage of workforce with a disability in childcare and early years provision, 2003

* equals less than 1% but greater than 0.5%

Source: SureStart 2004, table 4.3. Based on MORI.

A good practice guide for the recruitment and retention of disabled people is available on the SureStart website.