Stuart Anderson MP has welcomed a new bonus for childcare workers scheme that will be piloted in Wolverhampton. The City of Wolverhampton Council has been allocated almost a quarter of a million pounds to run the scheme which will see a £1,000 sign-on cash payment given to new recruits who join the early years sector. The pilot, which will run from April to December 2024, aims to increase capacity, tackle unemployment, and offer more childcare places - helping to increase the number of staff nurseries and early years providers needed to offer more childcare places to parents. The trial will cover 20 local authorities, including Wolverhampton - giving new-starters and returners a tax-free cash payment after they take up post.
Stuart said he was delighted that the new recruitment offer is being trialled in Wolverhampton - helping to grow the workforce so that all settings have the staff they need to provide childcare places where families need them. It is part of the biggest investment by a UK government into childcare in the country’s history, doubling the amount of money spent over the next few years from around £4 billion to around £8 billion each year. The Government is on track to provide 15 hours of government-funded childcare for 2-year-olds of eligible parents from April. Since applications opened on 2nd January, over 100,000 parents have successfully applied. It is estimated that 60,000 more parents will enter the workforce as a result, while many others will choose to increase their work hours.
The £4.9 million financial incentives pilot scheme will provide up to 3,000 new starters and returners with a £1,000 tax-free cash payment shortly after they take up a job working in early years and childcare. The pilot will run from April to December 2024. Wolverhampton has been chosen to take part in the pilot based on the need for staff to deliver more places in the local area. To be eligible, staff must be new to the profession, or returning after a break of at least 6 months, and spending at least 70 percent of their time working directly with children.
Stuart Anderson MP said: “I know from my own constituents that childcare is a vital enabler for parents to work. That’s why I am pleased that Wolverhampton is one of the areas in which this scheme to boost childcare will be piloted. This pilot, which provides £1,000 sign-on cash payment for new recruits who join the early years sector, will support the recruitment and retention of talented staff as we deliver the increased early years entitlements offer. It is part of the largest expansion of childcare in England’s history and will ensure that there is a place for every child.”
The Government has created a new website for people to find out about working in early education and childcare and the qualifications available. It can be accessed at https://earlyyearscareers.campaign.gov.uk.
The Government’s largest ever expansion of free childcare in England will be implemented in phases from 1st April 2024:
• April 2024: 15 free hours for working parents of two-year-olds
• September 2024: 15 free hours for working parents of nine months to the start of school
• September 2025: 30 free hours for working parents of nine months to the start of school
Updated: 11/02/24.