Wage concerns over early years plan - graduate jobs

A union has criticised the planned wage to be offered to university graduates who secure a place on an early years teaching scheme.

Graduates would be offered between £16,000 and £18,000 a year on the three-year pilot programme which - based on the Teach First scheme - aims to train top graduates to their Early Years Professional Status (EYPS).

However, John Chowcat, general secretary of union Aspect, highlighted the difference in wages between Teach First - which works to bring the best graduates into education - and the new early years operation.

He said: "If you add it all up it is still below the £17,000 to £20,000 offered on Teach First, which also offers other benefits such as 13 weeks holiday and access to a pension."

The Children's Workforce Development Council is currently inviting tenders to run the scheme, which would see 60 graduates with at least a 2.1 degree train for their Early Years Professional Status (EYPS). The project, under which graduates will train for two years, is due to start in autumn.

Purnima Tanuku, chief executive of National Day Nurseries Association, said: "To achieve what the campaign for teaching has done, it will be essential to look at salaries."