DfE launches school-based nursery pilot
The Department for Education (DfE) has today launched a “test and learn” pilot for its planned expansion of school-based nursery provision. Under the scheme, primary
A new campaign to boost recruitment to the early years sector in England is being launched today by the government. The government press release says:
The “Do Something Big” recruitment campaign is to encourage people to start a career working with small children – one part of this government’s ongoing sector support to ensure providers are in the best position to deliver the places parents need from April, September this year and next.
The campaign will look to boost recruitment across the sector by highlighting the vast array of childcare career routes and progression opportunities offering on-the-job training, flexible hours, and, most importantly, the chance to shape and support young lives.
A £1,000 sign-on bonus for childcare workers is also being launched today to increase capacity, tackle unemployment, and offer more childcare places.
The trial – which will cover 20 local authorities across the UK – will give new-starters and returners a tax-free cash payment shortly after they take up post.
Early Education Chief Executive, Beatrice Merrick, said:
Early Education welcomes the government’s new campaign to highlight the opportunities for careers in early childhood education and care, with the new entitlements expected to generate many new jobs. Working with very young children is complex and demanding, but as our members put it, it’s ‘the best job in the world’. We hope this campaign is just a first step towards a long-term early years workforce strategy that puts pay and conditions in the early years on a par with the rest of the education workforce, including improved CPD and a ladder of qualifications including QTS for the early years.
Early Education has been supporting the early years workforce for a century through our professional development offer and campaigning activity, and we encourage anyone new to the workforce to join our supportive community as they find their feet in the world of early years.
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