Pre-school Education: Teachers
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to her Department's press release entitled £4,500 bonus to attract graduate teachers to deprived nurseries, published on 11 June 2026, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of levels of pay on staffing levels in the early years sector.
Answered by Olivia Bailey
Evidence shows leaders with specialised early years graduate qualifications, particularly early years teachers, have the strongest impact on children’s outcomes. The department has prioritised the payments for early years teachers in areas of greatest need.
The cost for the first year of the early years teacher recognition payment is expected to be over £8 million, including payments and tax, and a value for money assessment was carried out. We will announce future year costs in due course. Quantitative metrics will be used to evaluate the scheme, including the number of teachers claiming a payment, numbers and turnover rates of teachers, alongside qualitative metrics, such as staff motivation and confidence.
Early education is delivered by a mixed provider market that sets its own rates of pay. In 2026/27, we expect to provide over £9.5 billion for entitlements, more than doubling annual public investment in the early years sector compared to 2023/24.
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