In what is believed to be the first initiative of its kind, NHS Brent in north-west London has invited all nurseries, pre-schools and children's centres to bid for grants of £1,000 to £2,000 to encourage parents to have their children vaccinated.
There is concern that the take-up of booster jabs among pre-school children in Brent is below the target set by the Department of Health of 95 per cent.
Between the ages of three years four months and five years, children should be immunised against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio, measles, mumps and rubella (MMR).
MMR is usually given at 13 months and a booster is needed before children start school.
In September, the NHS revealed that despite an increase in the number of children being immunised against MMR, the rate of vaccination in England (89.1 per cent in 2010-11) still falls below the World Health Organisation's target of more than 95 per cent.
Susan Hearn, public health programmes manager at NHS Brent, said, 'The aim of the scheme is to help improve immunisation rates, which will protect more children from harmful diseases and keep them healthy.
'NHS Brent has invited all early years settings to submit bids for £1,000 to £2,000. Successful applications will engage with parents to establish which immunisations children are due, and refer children to their GPs for vaccinations.
'The scheme is straightforward and does not include a lot of paperwork. We have tried to make the scheme simple so that it is accessible to as many early years settings as possible.'
Bids could include organising events to promote immunisation, working with health visitors and GP practice nurses, or targeted work with particular groups that have low immunisation rates.
The NHS trust will provide successful applicants with promotional information leaflets, posters and T-shirts for children.
Nicole Kennedy, owner of Sunrise Pre-School in Brent, said she was not opposed to the scheme but had decided that her nursery would not take part, because she did not want to interfere with parental choice.
She said the last time there was a measles outbreak at her nursery was six years ago, when three children were hospitalised.
Ms Kennedy said that a number of parents on her books had not had their children vaccinated and she would describe them as well-educated. However, she said that when parents register with the nursery she reminds them they need to complete their child's vaccination schedule.
Ms Kennedy said, 'I know that parents who come to my nursery are well-educated and informed. I'm in a position of trust and I don't want to rock the boat. I also feel uncomfortable doing the job of another professional.'
Early years settings in Brent interested in taking part can contact Frida Earnshaw on (0208) 795 6173.
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