Early Years Financial Incentive - Golden Hello

Early Years Financial Incentive - Golden Hello

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An exciting national pilot to encourage people to return to or start a career in early years has recently been introduced by The Department for Education (DfE). We are thrilled to announce that Newcastle City Council is one of 20 local authorities across the country that has been selected to take part in the pilot scheme.

This means that eligible professionals could be entitled to a ‘Golden Hello’ payment through the Early Years Financial Incentive (EYFI).

The DfE has launched this pilot to identify whether financial incentives offered in the early years sector will help to boost recruitment. According to new research, 97% of parents agree that an early year’s professional had a major impact on their children’s development, and two thirds (66%) agreed that they are one of the most important people in their children’s lives. This emphasises just how valuable early years professionals are in supporting children’s development from a very young age. 

The pilot’s aim is to help childcare providers in Newcastle upon Tyne attract staff and fill vacancies. This will be done by paying an incentive payment of £1,000 (after Tax and National Insurance contributions) to eligible individuals who take up a position with them. This is funded by the DfE.

The pilot will launch in Newcastle upon Tyne in April 2024 and run until December 2024.

Find out more - Government childcare recruitment campaign

How to take part

Childcare providers must submit an expression of interest form and meet the criteria to be eligible for The Early Years Financial Incentive.

Submit your expression of interest 

Eligible Providers

Eligible Individuals

Eligible individuals must meet the below criteria. Their employer must have also submitted an expression of interest form for the EYFI.

  • New to a career in early years,

  • Returning to a career in early years (has not worked in childcare for at least 6 months),

  • Position is permanent but it can be full or part time,

  • Be working directly with children for at least 70% of their working day.

Advertising

  • Vacancies with an EYFI should be advertised through the usual channels such as job advertisement platforms, social media, DWP Find a job platform and DfE Early years and childcare recruitment campaign clearly highlighting they are offering a Golden Hello! 

  • The following strapline MUST be included in the recruitment advert-

This position may be eligible for a £1,000 ‘Golden Hello!’ Eligible applicants will receive a £1,000 bonus (after tax and NI) after working with us for 3 months. 

To be eligible, you must be new to early years sector, or returning after a break of at least 6 months.  

Appointment of staff

  • Providers must follow safe & fair recruitment and be able to provide documentation to support this. 

  • Providers and the individual will then be required to submit documentation to the local authority for data collection and monitoring purposes and to confirm eligibility.

  • This will include copies of their job application, full work history of the individual, and a copy of their work contract. Full details of this will be included in the written agreement which will be sent out to providers separately. 

Payment of the EYFI

  • Once the relevant information and documentation has been received and eligibility confirmed, the EYFI payment will be paid to providers through their existing bank account where they receive payments for funded childcare places.

  • The amount paid will be increased to cover National Insurance and Tax contributions to ensure that the new employee receives the full £1000 financial incentive payment. 

  • This can be paid in instalments if the individual wishes, so to not affect universal credit benefits. 

Further information

 

 

 

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