Early Years Providers Business Planning and Support

Recruitment and Retention

Early Years Financial Incentives Programme

The Department for Education (DfE) is offering a £1,000 recruitment bonus to help early years settings attract new practitioners or those returning to the workforce after a break of at least six months. The payment is made directly to the eligible practitioner six months after starting their role.

Who can take part?

Elligible Settings

  • Early years settings that have been contacted by the DfE

Please note, childminding settings and reception classes are not included at present.

Elligible Practitioners

  • New to the early years workforce or returning after a break of at least six months
  • Must be on a permanent contract and work directly with children at least 70% of the time
  • Can be part-time or full-time

Key Dates

  • 15 July 2025 - Earliest start date for elligible employment
  • 30 July 2025 - Expression of interest form opens online
  • Early September 2025 - Claim portal opens (expression of interest form closes)
  • Programme runs until March 2026 or until all incentives are allocated

How to Claim

  1. Recruit an eligible practitioner who starts on or after 15 July 2025
  2. From 30 July 2025, submit an expression of interest online to reserve an incentive
  3. From September 2025, submit a claim via the DfE Claim Portal
  4. Practitioner will receive a link to provide their bank details
  5. After six months, confirm the practitioner is still in post
  6. DfE pays £1,000 directly to the practitioner (including tax and National Insurance)

There is no cost to the setting.

From 30 July 2025, a toolkit written by DfE will be available which contains all the information providers need.

If you have any questions about the programme email EY.Financial-Incentives@education.gov.uk

Do Something BIG campaign

“Do Something Big, work with small children" is a national recruitment campaign by the UK Department for Education that aims to inspire people to pursue rewarding careers in early education and childcare. It aims to showcase the profound positive impact that early years professionals can have on children’s lives—emphasizing how even small gestures can shape futures. 

Do Something Big - Childcare and early years recruitment campaign

Do something Big campaign toolkit

You can find a bank of assets which includes:

  • Videos
  • Social media graphics
  • Leaflets
  • Posters

Employing an early years apprentice in your settingEarly years alliance logo small

The Early Years Alliance offer advice and practical support for those employing apprentices.  
Employing an early years apprentice for your setting | early years alliance (eyalliance.org.uk)

Advertise apprenticeships

Applicants can search and apply for apprenticeships using the Find an apprenticeship service on GOV.UK. To advertise your apprenticeships on the site for free:

  1. Create or sign in to your apprenticeship service account. 
  2. Follow the guidance on creating an apprenticeship advert as an employer.

Further Information

Webpages for the early years workforce: recruitment, retention, and business planning.