Rising Demand and Shifts in Childcare Dynamics

Over the past decade, there has been a significant increase in the demand for extended childcare hours in daycare centers. The number of children receiving more than 35 hours of weekly care surged by 30%, with nearly two-thirds of these children being cared for over 45 hours weekly. This change reflects a broader trend towards longer childcare hours, as average weekly care has increased from 35.3 to 36.1 hours.

Simultaneously, the total number of children in daycare rose by 20%, now reaching 3.94 million. Despite a 46% increase in daycare staff, with 724,100 professionals employed, the majority of whom work part-time, staffing remains a challenge. Only a third of the workforce operates full-time, contributing to an ongoing personnel strain.

The education sector has responded with a record 55,600 pedagogical training completions in 2023, marking a substantial increase from a decade ago. This rise in trained professionals is crucial as the demand for skilled childcare workers continues to grow. Notably, daycare centers are increasingly recognizing foreign qualifications, with 1,743 out of 2,778 foreign credential recognitions granted in 2023. These recognitions predominantly involve professionals from Spain, Ukraine, and Turkey, with the role of educator among the top ten professions for such procedures.

As the childcare sector expands, addressing the balance between part-time and full-time staff will be vital to meet the increasing childcare demands effectively. The sector's reliance on foreign-trained professionals underscores the importance of international integration in addressing local staffing challenges.