Nursery teachers in Rotherham and other disadvantaged areas can apply for £4,500 bonus
The incentive scheme, first announced last July, has gone live for qualified nursery teachers in areas including Rotherham
Early years teachers in 10 disadvantaged communities, including Rotherham, can start applying for £4,500 bonuses under Government plans to attract staff to nurseries.
The incentive scheme, first announced last July, has gone live for qualified nursery teachers in Sandwell, Middlesbrough, Tameside, Rochdale, Bolton, Hartlepool, Rotherham, Dudley, Luton and Barking and Dagenham.
It will be expanded to 30 areas later this year, all of which have been chosen based on deprivation, whether they have a shortage of teachers and how many pupils are school ready.
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.”
According to the Department for Education (DfE), fewer than in 10 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.
They can apply via an online claims service, with eligible nurseries set to receive a link from the DfE.
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.”