Walsall is one of twenty local authorities involved in a new trial to drive recruitment in the early years sector.
New recruits will receive a £1,000 cash payment to join the sector, to attract workers into a career in childcare and early years education.
New data from the Department for Education suggests that there are 102,480 two-year old children registered on the system ahead of the largest ever expansion in childcare rollout from April 2024.
The rollout is set to save working parents using the full 30-hour entitlements up to £6,500 a year, and by September 2025, all pre-school children of working parents from the age of nine months, will be able to access 30 hours of childcare during term time.
The “Do Something Big” national recruitment campaign is to encourage people to start a career working with small children - one part of the government’s ongoing sector support to ensure providers are in the best position to deliver the places parents need from April and 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 to increase capacity, tackle unemployment, and offer more childcare places. The trial will give new-starters and returners a tax-free cash payment shortly after they take up post.
Councillor Mark Statham, Portfolio Holder for Education and Skills at Walsall Council, said, “We are really pleased to be a part of the new pilot and offer those who are looking to start a career in childcare, or those who are returning after a break, a tax-free, cash offer to make positive differences to the lives of our young people in Walsall.
“We know that nationally, there is a shortage of children’s early education workers, and Walsall isn’t immune to this issue, so we’re hoping the new pilot will be a way to get new and more workers into early years jobs.
“Working in childcare can be a very rewarding experience, as we know how fundamental those early years really are, and how they shape who our children will become in the future.
“With changes to childcare costs and entitled hours coming into effect from April 2024, we want to make sure there are enough workers ready to support the rollout efficiently.
“So, for those who want to start or return to early years jobs, the time is now!”
To sign up for more information about the childcare support expansion roll out from April 2024, please visit the Childcare choices website: https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/
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