A Study of Childcare Teacher Retention in the Childcare Service Industry

Abstract

There is relatively little research on teacher retention in the Singaporean early childhood industry, yet this is an important workforce issue because of the rapid expansion of childcare centres to meet the growing needs of parents in Singapore. This qualitative study aims to identify the dominant, contemporary factors that influence childcare teachers’ intentions to continue working in the Singaporean childcare industry. The unit of analysis is the individual; hence, the focus of investigation is on the lived experiences of current childcare teachers in the Singaporean workforce. This study provides important insights into childcare teachers’ perspectives on their work and factors that influence them in decisions about whether to continue working in the childcare sector in Singapore. In total, 102 qualified childcare teachers participated in this qualitative study. In summary, it was found that significant factors such as employee remuneration, employee benefits, work environment and professional development opportunities influence childcare teachers’ retention in the Singaporean early childhood industry.

Factors associated with preschool workers’ willingness to continue working

“…Meanwhile, in a study of 316 nurses based in Ibero-American countries, it was revealed that both burnout and work engagement affect turnover intention. [29] Other studies have shown that job demand and job control affect work engagement, [30] and that poor workplace environments may lower work engagement [7] and may increase turnover intention. Meanwhile, conversely, a good working environment has been shown to lower turnover intention.…”

“…However, permanent employment was not important for the under-39 seconds. Good rewards and welfare are known to contribute to the suppression of turnover intention; [1,7,13] thus, for individuals over the age of 40, there is a possibility that good treatment in regard to employment may lead to lower job-separation desire.…”

“…However, it has been determined that appropriate rewards are important factors influencing these professionals’ willingness to continue working. [1,7] Further, for such workers, it is important to promote more stable early care and educational environments.…”

“…As of 2018, approximately 10 studies have investigated turnover among preschool workers. These studies have generally focused on the following 4 areas: pain, [3–5] ERI, [4,5] workplace environment, [1,7,13] and job satisfaction. [2,6] Regarding pain, as mentioned, many preschool workers develop skeletal muscle problems.…”

“…Thus, it is possible that the occurrence of health problems particular to preschool workers can cause a desire to leave their jobs. Regarding workplace environments, it has been found that remuneration affects willingness to continue working, [1,7] and that the type of treatment received in work environments influences psychological happiness. [13] Finally, regarding job satisfaction, a study of 525 preschool workers showed that turnover intention is low when workplace satisfaction is high.…”