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Child care workers are paid substantially less than others with similar qualifications in other fields, according to new research for the Department for Education and Skills.

The study, Recruitment and Retention of Childcare Early Years and Playworkers by researchers from the National Institute of Economics and Social Research, follows the launch of a major government recruitment campaign in the child care sector last month.

It found that low pay and low status makes it difficult for child care providers to attract and keep staff

The report recommends increased pay across the sector, reduced hours in private day nurseries, improved career structure in all parts of the sector, greater encouragement for training, and opportunities to train during working hours.

It also suggests greater use of "family friendly" policies in day nurseries, free or subsidised nursery places for staff children, higher status across the sector, possibly through a change in job titles, for example, "practitioner" and greater emphasis on aspects of the work relating to education and development.

- See www.dfes.gov.uk/research