Poppins Bursary of £1.4m given to Essex early years sector

Avjeet Grewal, a parent from Chelmsford, said quality childcare was really important to him

A £1.4m scheme aimed at supporting and training people working in early years has been launched at an Essex nursery.

Poppins Bursary scheme was launched at Banana Moon nursery in Billericay and funded by Essex County Council (ECC).

The council said the scheme would be rolled out in nurseries across the county.

Louise McKinlay, the deputy council leader, said the funding would be put towards upskilling existing staff and training new staff.

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The government has pledged to provide 30 hours of free childcare for all under fives from September 2025. However, 30 hours of free childcare for three and four year olds is already available.

Ms McKinlay said: "It is designed to support the government's announcement to expand early years provision because we know we need to have the workforce to deliver that.

"The idea of the bursary is that it will support both childminders and those looking to get into that space."

Louise McKinlay,deputy leader at the council said the scheme was a "game changer"

She said the money would support "existing settings who might need to upskill their existing staff or they want to expand their provision"

"It is also designed to support people who maybe looking to people trying to get into childminding for the first time," she said.

"Childcare is very expensive across the country and it can often preclude people from going back to work, especially women.

"It is a huge game changer for us not just as a county but as a nation."

Father-of-two Avjeet Grewa from Chelmsford, who also works for the council, said: "I think this scheme will help to ensure that our nurseries are staying open.

"So we want to ensure that our child does go to a setting that we trust and which we are happy with."

Natasha Ritchie-Loan, senior nursery manager said the scheme is very exciting

Natasha Ritchie-Loan, senior nursery manager, said: "It is exciting to know that the council is putting money in to support the nurseries and to give back to our staff teams and to encourage them to learn and progress for themselves."