Early years staff across England will soon be able to train as fully qualified teachers through a new paid Early Years Teacher Degree Apprenticeship, as the government marks the end of National Apprenticeship Week with a major investment to strengthen the early years workforce.
Backed by a £3.2 million grant, the programme will enable 400 early years practitioners to gain degree‑level qualifications while continuing to earn a salary, providing a high‑quality route into teaching for those already working in nurseries and early years settings.
The initiative forms part of the government’s drive to improve children’s life chances by raising the standard of early education and creating clearer, better‑paid pathways for the workforce. Under the new apprenticeship scheme, early years practitioners will “earn while they learn”, gaining the skills and status required to lead learning, work within higher staff‑to‑child ratios, and progress into senior roles.
The government has committed to covering £9,000 per apprentice per year in training costs, alongside an £8,000 support payment to help early years providers cover backfill, National Insurance and related expenses. The grant will be issued to training providers, who will pass the funding directly to participating settings.
Department for Education data shows that staff with degree‑level early years qualifications typically earn £5.50 more per hour than peers trained to A‑level standard, making the new pathway both a skills investment and a route to higher pay.
Research consistently highlights the importance of well‑trained early years professionals. Providers employing graduate‑level staff deliver better outcomes for children, with studies showing that a 10% increase in graduate staff is associated with a 1.2% rise in children achieving a good level of development.
The government’s ambition is to place an Early Years Teacher in every setting, helping to address the national shortfall in graduate‑qualified staff and raising the quality of provision during the developmental years that matter most.
This investment forms a key pillar of the government’s Best Start in Life strategy, alongside record funding designed to expand access to affordable, high‑quality childcare.
A £9.5 billion childcare package is already being rolled out nationwide, giving working parents access to expanded funded hours that could save families up to £7,500 per year. Funding rates for providers are rising above inflation to help maintain quality as demand increases.
Olivia Bailey, Minister for Early Education, commented:
“These degree apprenticeships give early years staff the chance to build skilled, well-paid and rewarding careers while continuing to do the vital work they do every day for children and families.
“High-quality early education can change the course of a child’s life. When we back the people who guide children through those first crucial years, we help build their confidence, prepare them for school and set them up to thrive in the years ahead.
“Backing progression and better pay in early years is good for families, good for the workforce and good for our country.”
National Apprenticeship Week has also seen the government unveil a range of measures to expand apprenticeship opportunities across England. Department for Education analysis estimates that apprentices will contribute £25 billion to England’s economy over their working lives.
Construction firms delivering school building projects will now be required to demonstrate how they are creating training opportunities for apprentices and T Level students, a change that is expected to generate around 13,000 new placements.
Further pilots will support “near miss” apprenticeship applicants by matching them with alternative opportunities in their area, while a new online platform will give young people clearer, more accessible information about apprenticeships and career outcomes.
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