Atherton House is to introduce a bursary fund to support staff with young children in response to the delayed support announced by the Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt. Within the Budget, Hunt revealed that the 30 hours for working parents will be phased in from 2024.
The nursery group’s director George Apel said, ‘We are taking action to support our colleagues and their families now! The Government’s support is not the action the industry needs right now. Our bursary fund is a practical step towards making a change and providing the support that our colleagues need to balance work and family life.'
A total of 10 per cent of staff will benefit from the offer. Of the group’s 140 staff, 14 have young children attending one of the group’s settings. It is also hoped the bursary will attract more practitioners to the company.
Atherton House’s decision to introduce a bursary fund follows the move by the company to increase staff wages ‘above the industry average’ and bring in a loyalty bonus scheme of just over £50,000 shared among employees over the next 12 months through a combination of additional holidays and one-off bonus payments.
