X
GO

Latest news

Check out the latest news and industry views from Class Recruitment in Bristol

Search news

News Categories & Tags

07Jan

Our Bristol Early Years recruitment team review free childcare changes

Many clients and candidates have been asking about this issue, so we thought it would be good to write a blog so our Bristol Early Years recruitment team can outline free childcare changes coming in 2024.

In his Spring 2023 Budget, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt outlined plans to extend free childcare in England to infants aged one and two as part of a drive to boost the Early Years sector workforce.

The Government will offer 30 hours of free childcare for every child from the age of nine months, where all adults in the household work at least 16 hours.

The Government claims that this £4bn policy shift will reduce childcare costs for each family by nearly 60%.

Our Early Years recruiters in Bristol have been talking to nursery settings and candidates in the latter part of 2023 about free childcare changes in the city.

The main concern is the fact it will take time to implement the changes.

The free childcare changes will be introduced in stages to ensure there are enough nursery workers to supply new demand in the Early Years market.

As it stands, working parents of two-year-olds in Bristol will get 15 hours of free childcare from April, which will be extended to 30 hours by 2025.

There are concerns that there may not be enough nursery spaces in Bristol to deal with an increase in demand. Many Bristol nursery settings have waiting lists.

Another concern is that Bristol Early Years settings are given enough support from April 2024 from the Government to provide what is being funded.

Some Bristol nursery-setting business owners have expressed confusion as to how the Government funding from April will improve the supply of nursery places.

Our Bristol Early Years recruitment experts are also wondering how the Government plans to assess the level of funding, as it costs more to look after younger children in nurseries.

If funding is not set at the right rate, it won't be viable for many Bristol nursery settings from April 2024.

There are many unanswered questions around the topic of free childcare and we hope that Bristol nursery settings get the support needed from April.

If you own or run an Early Years setting in Bristol and are looking for staff, please feel free to reach our team on 0117 930 4000 or by visiting here.

Related

Class now offers Early Years recruitment services in Taunton

Class now offers Early Years recruitment services in Taunton

Update from Class Recruitment as we now provide Early Years recruitment services in Taunton

Read More >
Class Recruit launch new Early Years sector recruitment service covering Gloucester and Cheltenham

Class Recruit launch new Early Years sector recruitment service covering Gloucester and Cheltenham

Exciting news as Class Recruit launches Early Years sector recruitment service for Gloucester and Ch...

Read More >
"Class Recruit have rapidly secured me nursery work in Gloucester without a huge commitment."

"Class Recruit have rapidly secured me nursery work in Gloucester without a huge commitment."

Case study from a Class Recruit candidate highlighting how we found her nursery work in Gloucester

Read More >
How do I find the best Early Years roles in Bristol this Autumn?

How do I find the best Early Years roles in Bristol this Autumn?

Advice from the team at Class Recruitment in Clifton on how to secure the best Early Years roles acr...

Read More >
Are you looking for Early Years jobs in Bristol this Winter?

Are you looking for Early Years jobs in Bristol this Winter?

Advice from Class Recruitment in Clifton for candidates looking for Early Years jobs and roles in Br...

Read More >
New research highlights need for investment in Early Years sector across the South West

New research highlights need for investment in Early Years sector across the South West

Class Recruit reviews new research published on the Early Years sector which impacts the South West

Read More >