Early years teachers in two key West Midlands areas can now apply for £4,500 bonuses as part of a government plan to attract staff to nurseries in deprived regions.
Incentive Scheme Goes Live
The incentive scheme, first announced in July last year, has gone live for qualified nursery teachers in Sandwell and Dudley. Other areas across the UK include Middlesbrough, Tameside, Rochdale, Bolton, Hartlepool, Rotherham, Luton, and Barking and Dagenham. The scheme will be expanded to 30 areas later this year, all selected based on deprivation levels, teacher shortages, and the number of children ready for school.
Government Statement
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said: “It shouldn’t matter if you’re born in Sandwell or Middlesbrough, in Rochdale or Rotherham – every child deserves the best teachers, with the best tools at their disposal, to give them the very best start in life. These measures will help nurseries attract and keep more qualified staff so they can deliver the funded childcare that saves families up to £8,000 a year in the communities that need it most.”
Qualification Criteria
According to the Department for Education (DfE), fewer than one in ten nursery staff currently hold a graduate teaching qualification. The payment is open to teachers holding qualified teacher status, early years teacher status, or early years professional status. Eligible teachers can apply via an online claims service, with nurseries receiving a link from the DfE.
Industry Reaction
Sarah Ronan, director of the Early Education and Childcare Coalition, said: “When disadvantaged children start school 4.7 months behind their better-off peers, it’s right that we do everything we can to close that gap as early as possible. Research shows us that graduate teachers can have a positive impact on child development, particularly for those at risk of being left behind. We welcome this incentive to attract more graduates to work in communities where they can make a difference and change lives, and we are particularly pleased to see the government offer this bonus in even more areas.”
