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Written question asked by James McMurdock (Independent (affiliation)) on Wednesday, 1 July 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 6 July 2026. It was answered by Olivia Bailey (Labour) on Friday, 10 July 2026 on behalf of the Department for Education.

Pre-school Education: Teachers

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, whether she has made an estimate of the proportion of recipients of the bonus who would have taken up employment in an eligible nursery in the absence of the scheme.

Answer

The early years teacher recognition payment scheme is not just to recruit new early years teachers. It is also designed to boost retention by recognising talented and experienced early years teachers who are already part of the workforce. The department knows that the turnover rates of all staff in private, voluntary and independent group-based settings is 14%. The payments are part of the government’s long-term ambition to grow and strengthen the early years workforce.

The government already offers similar payments for eligible school and further education teachers, and findings from other similar projects, such as phased maths bursaries, suggests they can support the scheme’s aims.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
15149
Session
2026-27
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Graduates Incentives Pre-school education Teachers
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk