The recent study “Everyday Life in Daycare 2025” reveals a significant concern within Denmark’s daycare institutions: many educators are unable to provide adequate care due to staffing limitations, affecting children’s emotional and developmental needs.
Overview of the Findings
A new survey conducted by the analysis firm Rambøll for FOA highlights the pressing issue of inadequate care provided to children in Danish daycare institutions. Although caregivers observe children’s needs daily, the overwhelming majority cite an inability to adequately respond due to insufficient staffing. The study indicates that 60% of educational staff experience this challenge daily or several times a week.
Thomas Enghausen, Vice Chairman of FOA, expressed the concerning implications of these findings. He explained that children experience a series of small failures when they do not receive the support, assistance, and care they deserve. This situation is equally frustrating for the adults involved, who often feel they cannot meet the needs of the children.
The report underlines that when caregivers lack the time to listen to a child’s stories (38%) or to manage a situation involving an aggressive child (23%), it directly affects children’s well-being. An alarming 40% of staff members also believe they overlook quieter children who may need attention.
Challenges of Insufficient Staffing
The report establishes a connection between the ability to provide care and the ratio of adults to children in daycare settings. The situation is most dire for facilities that typically schedule adults to be alone with larger groups of children.
As one employee described their experience in the survey, “It can be difficult to reach all the children during those periods when I am alone in the room. I provide support and guidance to all the kids; however, sometimes they need more time and presence than I can give, especially when I’m helping other children.”
The survey reveals that one in five caregivers experiences daily scheduled solitary time with groups of more than five toddlers or over ten preschoolers. Furthermore, three out of four staff members reported being alone with larger groups of children on their most recent workday.
Enghausen believes such arrangements are inadequate, stating, “You cannot be in two places at once.” This highlights the critical need for reform in staffing practices within these institutions. The survey indicates that the failure to provide adequate care has direct consequences for children’s emotional and social development, an issue that shouldn’t be taken lightly.
The Role of Policy and Funding
The systemic issues of underfunding and policy shortcomings need to be addressed by government officials and stakeholders involved in early childhood education. Improved staffing ratios must be a priority if Denmark wishes to afford its children the foundational support they require during these formative years.
In order for children to thrive, they must receive quality attention and care from their educators, particularly because emotional support can significantly impact both academic performance and overall well-being. Policy changes that enhance staff training, enhance hiring practices, and allocate additional resources could go a long way in rectifying the issues revealed in the study.
The findings from “Everyday Life in Daycare 2025” underscore the importance of sufficient staffing levels in Danish daycare institutions. With significant proportions of educators citing their inability to provide necessary emotional support and care due to being overburdened, immediate reforms are essential.
Ensuring that children receive the right amount of attention during these critical developmental stages is vital for their future. As Denmark continues to navigate these challenges, the call for change in policy and funding to support early childhood education has never been more urgent.
