The ‘Do Something Big’ recruitment campaign has been launched by the
Department for Education.
As part of the campaign a trial initiative – covering 20 local authorities
including Wolverhampton – will see new-starters and those returning to
childcare roles given a cash bonus payment shortly after they take up post.
It aims to help ensure nurseries and early years providers have the staff
required to offer more childcare places for parents.
The move comes ahead of April when eligible working parents of two-year-
olds will get 15 funded hours on top of existing childcare provision – ultimately
putting more money in parents’ pockets at the end of the month.
The rollout is set to save working parents using the full 30-hour entitlements
up to £6,500 a year.
Councillor Chris Burden, the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet
Member for Children and Young People, said: “We welcome the opportunity
to take part in this national pilot scheme.
“The recruitment drive will help support our efforts to ensure nurseries and
early years providers have the workers they need to be able to offer more
childcare places for parents as provision is expanded.
“This will allow more parents to stay in work, supporting the local economy in
the knowledge their children are receiving good childcare, laying the
foundations for them to achieve their full potential.”
The campaign will look to boost recruitment across the sector by highlighting
the array of childcare career routes and progression opportunities offering on-
the-job training and flexible hours.
