A nursery assistant and mother-of-two has spoken of feeling a profound sense of dread as Christmas approaches, driven by the relentless pressure of the cost of living crisis and dismal pay in the early years sector.
'No Real Luxuries': The Personal Toll of the Crisis
Hayley Doyle, 44, from Leeds, who earns just under £25,000 a year, described the financial strain making the festive season a source of anxiety rather than joy. "Always dread," was her blunt response when asked about her feelings in the lead-up to Christmas. She highlighted the soaring cost of food as particularly "ridiculous," forcing her to cut back on even small traditions.
"There's no real luxuries. Even like, it sounds desperate, selection boxes and things like that," Hayley explained. "I used to be able to buy them as little gifts but then I just knocked that on the head. It's so expensive just to even get the selection boxes to send to the kids. A little treat is not a little treat anymore."
A Sector Under Immense Pressure
Hayley, who has worked in childcare for 11 years, criticised a recent 3.2% pay rise offer as wholly inadequate, stating staff are left "burnt out." She revealed that early years workers frequently dip into their own pockets to provide essentials like wellies or coats for children in need, and to buy gifts for nursery fundraising raffles.
She also pointed to the Government's expanded free childcare offer as placing further unsustainable pressure on nurseries and their staff. The situation has driven many out of the profession, with friends leaving for better-paid jobs in supermarkets. Hayley fears she may soon be forced to abandon her career of over a decade. "It's not enough to keep going," she admitted, suggesting she may have to seek different employment in the new year.
Poll Reveals Widespread Fear Among Staff
Hayley's personal story is reflected in alarming new polling data. A GMB union survey of more than 4,600 school support and early years workers in December found that:
- Almost 40% (39%) are worried about having enough money to feed their families this Christmas.
- More than half (55%) are anxious about affording Christmas presents.
- 74% have brought in treats, sweets, or cakes for children in their care, while 37% have bought presents.
- 27% have had to provide clothing, such as raincoats from charity shops, for children without adequate winter wear.
One anonymous worker told the survey: "It’s hard to see kids feeling upset because they know they won’t have presents... I find that this then has a knock on effect with my family as my money is then stretched further."
The poll also highlighted issues with term-time only contracts, with half of staff with primary-age children unable to take time off to watch their own child's nativity play for at least three years.
Calls for Systemic Change
Stacey Booth, GMB National Officer, said the findings were a "tragic indictment" of how society undervalues work traditionally done by women. "I think it’s fair to say most people will be horrified by the fact the people we rely on to look after and educate our children are so badly paid they are worried about feeding their own families at Christmas," she stated.
Booth emphasised the critical importance of the School Staff Negotiating Body, which is set to be reintroduced by the Labour government in 2026. She insisted it "must be delivered in full" to address chronically low wages, term-time pay issues, and poor working conditions facing staff.
The combination of personal testimony and stark polling data paints a bleak picture of a dedicated workforce pushed to the brink, transforming the season of giving into one of acute financial fear and uncertainty.
