The Uber-style app helping to ease Australia's childcare crisis

A new platform is helping to solve the dire staff shortages childcare centres across Australia are facing ¨C allowing directors to fill last-minute gaps and stay open.

Z Recruitment is described as an "Uber-style app" that permits accredited early childhood workers to search for available shifts near them and instantly fill the spot.

With educators leaving the sector in droves and staff that remain feeling burnt out and overworked, Managing Director of the new platform Jessica Hennessy said one of the key advantages is the flexibility it provides.

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"Educators have been telling us for a long time they want better flexibility and work-life balance," she explains. "The gig economy is extremely popular ¨C and this app allows childcare educators to work when they want, where they want."

"They can list their availability, how far away from home they want to work and receive instant alerts when suitable work is posted."

For childcare educator Nahla Hassan, 35, based in Blacktown in Sydney's west, the app gives her the flexibility to take shifts in her area.

"It can be stressful at times because you have to match up ratios to children and keeping an eye on the children all at once can be tough," she tells 9Honey Parenting. "The app is convenient, easy to use and fits with my lifestyle."

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A recent survey found 99 per cent of childcare educators say workload and staffing issues are making them feel burnt out and undervalued. And eight out of 10 centres are struggling to find staff. ?

For Young Academics area manager Kelly Carmondy, who has been working in the industry for 17 years, the app has been very helpful to fill roster gaps without having to go through agencies.

"It's extremely stressful going into day-to-day planning, trying to manage staff and making sure we have caring and nurturing educators coming in," she reveals. "It's difficult to meet the ratios every day as there's a massive gap in the industry."

"It's stressful for everyone, we don't want our educators to burn out."

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According to Ms Hennessy, there has been fast uptake with nearly 700 educators and 180 childcare centres now using Z Recruitment.

"Centres across Australia face disruptions with staff unavailable at the last minute every day, traditionally centre directors were forced to spend time calling around recruitment agencies and waiting to hear back, which is outdated," she explained.

The app also offers benefits to educators ?like starter bonuses, competitions and giveaways - and they are all paid "well above award wages."

"One of the biggest complaints from childcare educators is that they don't feel valued in their jobs so we work really hard to make them feel like they're part of a community through the support and incentives we provide them," she said.

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