The team at Class in Clifton have been asked recently how early expansion will affect Early Years recruitment in Bristol.
It is a complex topic, with differing opinions on the effectiveness of the scheme. The answer to the question is not a straightforward response.
From the start of this month, eligible families of two-year-olds across BS postcodes will be able to access 15 hours of early education and childcare for 38 weeks of the year.
This sounds like an incredible boost for the Early Years sector and hard-working Bristol parents alike.
Some pressure groups have warned that the capacity and cost issues currently facing parents and Early Years settings in the city will be further pressured if the government doesn't address the challenges facing the Early Years sector in Bristol.
The main issues for Early Years settings in Bristol are currently staff retention and recruitment, as well as underfunding.
Promising free childcare is one thing, but it will only work with a robust infrastructure in place to deliver it.
The Early Years recruitment experts at Class have seen nurseries and pre-schools in Bristol facing significant challenges, with some having to limit the number of new places they offer.
There have been examples of parents in Bristol finding it difficult to access a place with an Early Years setting for the first time.
The underfunding in the Bristol Early Years sector with minimum wage rises have combined to mean that some Early Years providers in the city have had to increase their rates just to stay in business.
This in turn increases the financial burden on parents paying for childcare.
Our Early Years recruiters in Clifton are monitoring the situation and hope that initial issues are ironed out before the next phase is rolled out in five months.
We place Early Years nursery staff across the following parts of Bristol:
Yate, Kingswood, Downend, Speedwell, Keynsham, Lyde Green, Emersons Green, Bradley Stoke, Filton, Horfield, Southmead, Clifton, Redland, Westbury, Stoke Bishop, City Centre, Southville, Bedminster, Knowle, Ashton Gate and Flax Bourton.
Our team of Early Years recruiters in Bristol also help candidates to become Early Years compliant, ensuring they have everything they need to embark upon a successful and happy career in the sector.
Visit here to access free resources for Early Years candidates.
Check out the very latest nursery job vacancies in Bristol here.
We are always available to have an informal chat with Early Years practitioners of all experience levels in Bristol and can be reached on 0117 930 4000 or by visiting here.