Early Years Financial Incentive Programme

This Department for Education (DfE) programme provides new and returning eligible early years workers with a recruitment bonus of £1000 six months after being in post. The aim of the programme is to support settings to attract new practitioners or practitioners returning to the workforce.

Who is eligible?

• Early years settings that have been contacted by the DfE can take part in the programme. Childminding settings and reception classes have not been included at present.
• Early years practitioners who are either new or returning to the early years workforce after a break of at least six months.

> The practitioner must be employed on a permanent contract to work directly with the children for at least 70% of the time.

> The practitioner can be employed either part time or full time.

When does the programme start and how long does it last for?

• The programme is open to eligible staff who commence employment with an eligible setting on or after 15 July 2025.
• The programme will remain open until March 2026 or until all of the available incentives have been allocated.  

How to make a claim

• Once you have recruited an eligible practitioner, on or after 15 July, you can start the DfE's online claim process - the expression of interest form opens online on 30 July 2025 when the first incentives can be reserved.
• The Claim portal will open early September 2025 for settings to submit a claim for their new practitioner. At this point the expression of interest form will close as it will no longer be required as providers will be able to apply directly via the Claim portal.
• The eligible practitioner will then be sent a link to logon to the claim system and enter their bank details.
• After six months you will be required to confirm that the practitioner is still in post in order for the payment to be made.
• DfE will pay the practitioner £1000 directly.
• There is no cost to the provider or Local Authority. DfE pays the £1000 incentive, as well as the tax/National Insurance.

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 please email EY.Financial-Incentives@education.gov.uk.