11 June 2026

Nursery teachers in Middlesbrough will be able to receive a £4,500 annual bonus under a new Labour Government scheme designed to attract and retain qualified early years teachers in communities where children are least likely to be school-ready.

Middlesbrough is one of just ten areas selected for the first phase of the Early Years Teacher Recognition Payment. The scheme will support teachers working in private, voluntary and independent nurseries and is intended to help settings recruit the staff they need to expand childcare places and improve outcomes for children.

The Government says the payment will help attract and retain 2,700 early years teachers over the next three years. The programme forms part of Labour’s wider Best Start in Life strategy, which also includes funded childcare, school-based nurseries and new routes into the profession.

Research shows that children in the most deprived communities are significantly less likely to reach expected levels of development by the end of Reception than those in the least deprived areas. Ministers say increasing the number of qualified teachers in nurseries will help narrow that gap and give more children the best possible start in life.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said:

“Giving every child the best start in life is my top priority, and integral to our mission to ensure tens of thousands more children are school ready every year.  

“That’s why despite the inherited challenges we face, we are pressing ahead with the investment and leadership needed to support families and make sure that every child, regardless of background, can access the high-quality early education they deserve.”

Luke Myer MP said:

“I’m pleased Middlesbrough has been selected for this programme, which will help attract and retain talented nursery teachers in our area. High-quality early years education can make a huge difference to a child’s future, particularly in communities facing greater challenges.

“This investment will help local nurseries recruit the staff they need, support working families with access to childcare and give more children the opportunity to arrive at school ready to learn.”