ore than 8,000 nursery and childcare workers have been absent on account of psychological well being points over the previous 5 years, figures from the Scottish Conservatives declare.
Freedom of data requests submitted to all of Scotland’s 32 native authorities confirmed that absences brought on by stress amongst early years workers has elevated by 53% within the final 5 years.
Between 2018-2019 and 2022-2023, 8,076 workers had been absent on account of stress of poor psychological well being, from 1,159 in 2018-19 to 1,779 in 2022-23.
The social gathering say the determine is more likely to be greater as three councils didn't reply to requests and 4 didn't produce figures for 2022/23.
Additionally, freedom of data doesn't apply to personal sector nurseries and early schooling institutions.
The figures are indicative of a Scottish childcare disaster, the social gathering says, with greater than 9 in 10 councils unable to totally fund free childcare, based on the National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA).
The proportion of funded childcare locations in companion settings was greater than the share of the funds used to pay for them, the organisation stated in 2022.
Independent nurseries make up a 3rd of childcare suppliers while getting only a fifth of funding. It has been revealed that unbiased nurseries make up a 3rd of suppliers for 1,140 hours’ free childcare regardless of solely receiving a fifth of the funding, a freedom of data request by the NDNA revealed.
Meghan Gallacher MSP, Scottish Conservative deputy chief and shadow minister for kids and younger individuals, urged the federal government to offer workers the help that they want.
“These alarming figures point to a mental health crisis among early years and childcare staff under the SNP,” she stated.
“The rapidly rising number of stress-related absences is very worrying but also grimly predictable given the SNP’s transparent and unacceptable neglect of Scotland’s childcare sector.
The rapidly rising number of stress-related absences is very worrying
“The SNPs rollout of 1,140 hours’ free childcare has pushed businesses to the brink of collapse and has resulted in a mass exodus of childminders.
“The invaluable work of early years staff and childcare providers is transformative in allowing new parents – like myself – to return to work, boosting our economy and benefiting young families.
“It’s a crying shame that our childcare providers are so underfunded and demoralised. It’s little wonder that we are seeing so many off sick due to stress in these circumstances.
“Humza Yousaf cannot continue to short-change Scotland’s childcare sector, especially when he wants to expand the provision offered to parents.
“The SNP must urgently up their game to ensure that early years and childcare staff are given the support that they need.”
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