Early Years Teacher Recognition Payment
The early years teacher recognition payments are a new initiative designed to support the recruitment, retention and recognition of early years teachers. Subject to meeting the eligibility criteria and expectations, teachers working in the areas of greatest need will receive payments of up to £4,500.
- Opening date: (Midnight)
- Closing date:
Contents
Summary
Early years teacher recognition payments are a new initiative designed to support the recruitment, retention and recognition of early years teachers. Subject to meeting the eligibility criteria and expectations, teachers working in the areas of greatest need will receive payments of up to £4,500.
Recognition payments were announced in the government’s 2025 Best Start in Life (BSiL) strategy, where they were called ‘financial incentives’.
The scheme will be targeted at local authority areas of greatest need, and will be rolled out in two phases:
Trial (June – July 2026): recognition payments will be available to eligible teachers working in 10 local authority areas. Read the guidance here: Claim an early years teacher recognition payment – GOV.UK
Launch (Autumn 2026): available in an additional 20 local authority areas
Eligibility
To be eligible to claim an early years teacher recognition payment, you must:
· work within one of the target local authorities; and
· hold Qualified Teacher Status, Early Years Teacher Status or Early Years Professional Status; and
· work in an early years group-based PVI setting offering early education entitlements
You must also confirm that you are meeting the following expectations:
· fulfilling the role of an early years teacher, as outlined in the Early years teacher standards, for at least 50% of your time at work; and
· not currently subject to any formal performance measures as a result of continuous poor teaching standards or disciplinary action
Objectives
The Government is aiming for 75% of children in England to achieve a good level of development (GLD) by age 5 in 2028. Our Best Start in Life (BSiL) strategy outlines how we will improve early years education quality, including a long-term aim to have a qualified early years teacher in every nursery. We are offering recognition payments to attract and keep early years teachers in nurseries serving the most disadvantaged communities so every child, no matter where they live, can benefit from high-quality early education
Dates
Apply before 5pm on Friday 31 July 2026. Applications submitted after this date will not be considered.
How to apply
Claim a recognition payment through the ‘Claim an early years teacher recognition payment’ digital service. The service has been designed and built by DfE.
Read the guidance and apply here: Claim an early years teacher recognition payment – GOV.UK