Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to encourage (a) retention and (b) recruitment of teachers in early years education settings.

The department wants early years careers to be respected, rewarding, and something people are proud to pursue. Our Best Start in Life Strategy sets out how we are strengthening career pathways and championing early years teachers , with a long-term ambition of an early years teacher in every nursery setting.

To boost recruitment and retention, we will introduce financial incentives for early years teachers working in areas of greatest need, offering up to £4,500 per year, with a trial launching this summer.

We are expanding funded places on early years Initial Teacher Training (EYITT) over three years, aiming to more than double capacity by 2028. A new early years Teacher degree apprenticeship provides a salaried undergraduate route, enabling early years leaders and teachers to earn while they learn, supported by an Employer Support Grant.

We will consult the sector on training routes, course content, and professional status, ensuring early years teachers are recognised through high-quality training built on strong evidence of effective teaching practice.