Time, money, exhaustion: why early childhood educators will join the Great Resignation

Abstract

<p>As the Omicron virus leaves thousands of families without childcare, because hundreds of early childhood services have been forced to close, early childhood educators are in demand. Previously there was around 30% turnoverin the sector, but a 2021 survey of 4000 educators revealed 73% planned to leave in the next three years.</p>

<p>A multinational study I am leading listened to 51 Australian educators who had a range of qualifications and positions in different types of services. Additional data was gathered from publicly available online forums in response to other research-based news articles I have published from the study.</p>

<p>The study has shed light on the hidden costs of being an educator in Australia, many of which have increased during COVID. Here are five hidden costs the educators revealed.</p>