Many nursery settings and candidates have been asking what the Early Years recruitment trends for 2026 in Bristol are, so we thought a blog post from our experienced and qualified team in Clifton would be useful.
Understanding what is likely to happen in the next 12 months across the city for Early Years recruitment helps Bristol nurseries and staff to be better prepared for 2026.
We also appreciate that some Early Years settings and candidates are concerned about how the sector will manage during challenging times.
Predictions and forecasts are always a mix of positive and negative, so it is important to talk to industry experts, such as Class, to get a fuller picture.
In terms of Early Years recruitment trends for 2026 in Bristol, there will be a high and growing demand for nursery workers, following the increase in 30-hour funding for children aged from nine months.
Candidates should also see more employment opportunities arising in various BS postcodes this year, following the Government's SEN budget increase.
Another area where we think Early Years candidates in Bristol will see additional options in 2026 is from nurseries offering more flexible and part-time roles, to get nursery workers on board.
The Early Years sector is also facing some ongoing challenges for the year ahead, so it is vital for nurseries and candidates to consider these challenges.
There will be recruitment and retention challenges in Bristol - indeed, for the whole South West region - as was the case for much of 2025.
There could be a shortage of qualified Early Years practitioners, and recruiting the best candidates will be difficult for nurseries trying to do the job in-house.
If you're a nursery setting in Bristol struggling to recruit for permanent roles, read this.
Candidates may find that some Early Years settings are not increasing their pay as much as anticipated in the sector this year, while some higher-level positions may not have significant salary differences.
This is why working with an experienced Early Years recruitment agency is vital to ensure candidates get the best possible package from a nursery.
To find out more about working with an Early Years recruitment team in Bristol that puts candidates first, please visit here.
Another difficult Early Years recruitment trend for 2026 in Bristol comes from Government legislation impacting the sector.
After 2014, being a qualified nursery worker must also include qualifications in English and First Aid. This has negatively impacted some candidates.
At Class, we always work closely with all candidates to ensure they are in the best possible position to secure the nursery roles that fit their experience, qualifications and skillset.
We save candidates and nursery settings huge amounts of time when it comes to job-seeking, compliance checks and shortlisting for interviews.
To find out more about compliance rules in the Early Years sector for 2026, please read this.
To find out more about how we can help you with your Early Years recruitment needs during 2026 in Bristol, please call us on 0117 930 4000.