00:00Nursery teachers across parts of the North East are amongst the first in the country
00:05to be able to apply for government bonuses worth £4,500. The scheme is live in 10 areas,
00:13including Middlesbrough and Hartlepool, and is aimed at attracting and keeping
00:17qualified early years staff in disadvantaged communities. It will expand to 30 areas later
00:24this year. The Department for Education says only one in 10 nurseries currently employs a
00:29specialist early years teacher. Ministers say the payments will help to improve
00:34funded childcare for families and support children who can start school months behind
00:39their peers in terms of development and readiness levels.
