Use of dataset to inform policy - Early Childhood Education

Purpose of research project *

Examine the impact of well-being and workplace culture and climate on intentions to leave the early childhood sector

Who has, is or will benefit *

Early Childhood workforce

Description of impact *

Context
The Victorian Department of Education (DE) engaged dandolopartners to research the drivers of workforce retention and attrition in the Victorian early childhood education (ECE) workforce. The ECE sector has experienced a high rate of turnover since the pandemic, with a 400% increase in job vacancies and a record high number of temporary staffing waivers nationally. The objective of the project was to understand the drivers of retention in ECE services in Victoria, and identify opportunities to address current challenges. The project included extensive qualitative research with sector representatives, service leaders, teachers and educators, as well as desktop research and analysis of key issues in a contemporary Victorian context.

How the Research was Used
To triangulate findings derived from both literature and stakeholder consultation, dandolopartners made use of the "Dataset and metadata associated with Intention to Leave paper" by Rebecca Bull, Sandie Wong and Tamara Cumming. This dataset was an important source of quantitative data and was integrated throughout the report to strengthen analysis and recommendations. The research findings were used to highlight the sector's key negative feedback loops and the drivers behind them. It assisted in identifying key areas for action, including building leadership capacity, reducing operational inefficiencies, and addressing systemic and structural sector-wide issues, which have been heightened by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Impact
The final report submitted to the DE is the most comprehensive, recent, and in-depth exploration of retention and attrition in the Victorian ECE sector. The report serves to build the Department's understanding of the sector-wide challenges seen in the Victorian ECE sector, and identify opportunities for future policies, programs and initiatives addressing retention. The inclusion of the Bull et al’s dataset helped validate and strengthen the qualitative findings from consultations. The research data played a crucial role in triangulating insights, highlighting key issues, and informing actionable recommendations that may shape future policies and programs aimed at addressing workforce retention and attrition in the Victorian ECE sector.

Category of impact	Policy impacts
Impact level	Adoption (early)