The government has announced more frequent Ofsted inspections, financial incentives for early years teachers and more partnerships between nurseries and schools as part of its new early years strategy.

The £1.5bn Best Start in Life strategy includes £4,500 financial incentives for early years teachers in most disadvantaged communities to attract highly qualified educators to where they are needed most.

From April 2026 Ofsted will inspect all new early years providers within 18 months of opening and move towards inspecting all providers at least once every four years, compared to the current six-year cycle.

The strategy also includes a consultation on a new professional register for the early years, working with the sector to establish a career framework, and funding early learning interventions in English and maths.

There will be new funding for partnerships between schools and nurseries to strengthen transitions into school, and every local authority will work with government to agree statutory targets to improve school readiness in their area.

The government has also set out plans to build on the legacy of Sure Start by rolling out up to 1,000 Best Start Family Hubs across the country to provide wide-ranging help for families, such as parenting and early development.  

Backed by more than £500 million and targeted at the most disadvantaged communities, physical hubs will go alongside a new national digital hub linked with the NHS app to offer trusted advice and connect to services 

Education secretary Bridget Phillipson said: “My driving mission is to make sure every child has the chance to succeed no matter their background – and this new strategy will help give our youngest children the very best start in life.”

She added: “The best way of reducing inequalities is by tackling them early: that’s why we’re joining up family support services through our Best Start Family Hubs, driving up quality in our early years system and strengthening support for children as they enter primary school.”

The government will also look at how social investment – where positive outcomes for society are prioritised over profit – could be leveraged to create more quality childcare places in the communities where they are needed most.

Neil Leitch, chief executive of the Early Years Alliance, said: “We have long said that if we are to have any chance of building and sustaining a quality, affordable and sustainable early years sector, we need a clear vision of what this looks like in practice. As such, we warmly welcome the publication of the new Best Start in Life strategy. 

“Ultimately, as is so often the case, the devil will be in the detail, and we’re clear that this strategy will only work if it is backed up with the tangible support – financial or otherwise – that early years providers and other bodies and professionals need to build an early years system that works for all families.

 “But after years of calling for a long-term vision for the early years, there’s no doubt that this is a positive development, and we look forward to working with government to turn vision into reality.”

Purnima Tanuku, executive chair of National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA), said: “Before last year’s election we called for a proper strategy for early education and care in this country so today’s announcement is very positive news. The first five years of a child’s life are crucial, so having a coherent strategy across Government can help ensure everyone working with these children feels part of a bigger system.”

She added: “Plans to increase the numbers of early years teachers will only work when the fundamental inequality between early education and the school system are addressed. That’s how we make sure our early educators are given the status and recognition they are due.”