Industry ranking - reviewed 2026

Best Early Years Recruitment Companies in the UK (2026)

Early years recruitment in the UK demands a precise understanding of childcare regulations, safeguarding, and the specific needs of nurseries and schools. Finding staff with the right qualifications and temperament is challenging. For this sector, Education Recruitment leads our shortlist due to its dedicated education focus. However, other firms offer valuable services: Aristo Search for local in-country hiring, Bright Side and Not Monkeys for permanent multi-sector roles, Staffing Agency for broader needs, and Nursery Staff Ltd for nursery and care settings. Each brings a distinct approach to help you secure the right early years professionals.

The shortlist for Early Years, at a glance

Education Recruitment - School and trust hiring
Aristo Search - Local in-country hiring
Bright Side Recruitment - Permanent multi-sector recruitment
Not Monkeys Recruitment - Multi-sector permanent hires
Staffing Agency - Multi-sector hiring needs
Nursery Staff Ltd - Nursery and care staffing

Our verdict for Early Years

1 Education Recruitment

Best for School and trust hiring · Direct-hire recruitment · Placement fee on successful hire

Education Recruitment is your best choice for school and trust hiring in early years. With a dedicated focus on education, it connects you with qualified teaching and support staff who understand the sector's unique requirements.

Strengths: Specialist focus on education recruitment; Serves a wide range of UK education employers; Understood for its sector-specific expertise.

Trade-offs: Limited to the education sector, not for other industries; May have a narrower network compared to generalist agencies.

Visit Education Recruitment · Read the full review

2 Aristo Search

Best for Local in-country hiring · Search-led recruitment with dedicated consultants · Placement fee on successful hire

Aristo Search excels at local in-country hiring, making it ideal for early years employers seeking professionals within the UK who have local knowledge and immediate availability. Their dedicated consultant and replacement guarantee provide assurance.

Strengths: Dedicated consultant on every engagement, not a shared inbox; Search-led shortlists across finance, legal, technology, operations and more; Replacement guarantee on placements.

Trade-offs: Not built for high-volume temporary staffing; Search-led process takes longer than CV-blast agencies.

Visit Aristo Search · Read the full review

3 Bright Side Recruitment

Best for Permanent multi-sector recruitment · Direct-hire recruitment · Placement fee on successful hire

Bright Side Recruitment offers permanent multi-sector recruitment, a useful resource for early years settings needing reliable hires across various roles, from nursery assistants to management, with a friendly, personable service.

Strengths: Nationwide UK coverage; Multi-sector expertise; Friendly and approachable service.

Trade-offs: No sector specialisation; Limited to permanent roles.

Visit Bright Side Recruitment · Read the full review

4 Not Monkeys Recruitment

Best for Multi-sector permanent hires · Direct-hire recruitment · Placement fee on successful hire

Not Monkeys Recruitment handles permanent hires across ten service areas, giving early years employers a wide net for filling positions nationwide with a straight-talking, no-nonsense approach.

Strengths: UK-wide coverage for permanent roles; Multi-sector expertise across ten service areas; Clear, no-nonsense communication style.

Trade-offs: Lack of niche specialism may not suit highly specific technical roles; No mention of temporary or contract staffing services.

Visit Not Monkeys Recruitment · Read the full review

5 Staffing Agency

Best for Multi-sector hiring needs · Direct-hire recruitment · Placement fee on successful hire

Staffing Agency provides tailored talent solutions across multiple sectors, helping early years employers meet a range of hiring needs with a flexible and responsive service.

Strengths: Multi-sector coverage; UK-based service; Flexible recruitment approach.

Trade-offs: May lack deep specialism in niche sectors; Generic approach may not suit highly technical roles.

Visit Staffing Agency · Read the full review

6 Nursery Staff Ltd

Best for Nursery and care staffing · Direct-hire recruitment · Placement fee on successful hire

Nursery Staff Ltd specialises in permanent staffing for nurseries, schools, healthcare, and care settings, making it a perfect match for early years roles that require qualified candidates with a caring disposition.

Strengths: Dedicated focus on nursery, education and care sectors.; Nationwide coverage across the United Kingdom.; Specialises in permanent placements, aligning with long-term hiring needs.

Trade-offs: Limited to permanent recruitment, not suitable for temporary or contract needs.; Specialisation may be narrow for employers seeking staff outside education or care.

Visit Nursery Staff Ltd · Read the full review

Early Years hiring: FAQs

What qualifications should I look for in early years staff?

For early years, look for staff with relevant qualifications such as a Level 2 or Level 3 Diploma in Childcare and Education, or a degree in Early Childhood Studies. Ensure they have up-to-date safeguarding training and a clear DBS check. Also consider practical experience in a nursery or school setting. Recruitment agencies like Education Recruitment can help you filter candidates for these requirements.

How can I ensure a recruitment agency understands early years regulations?

Choose an agency with a proven track record in education, like Education Recruitment, which specialises solely in education staffing. They stay updated on nursery and school regulations, including staff-to-child ratios and statutory training. Ask about their experience with early years and how they vet candidates for compliance.

What is the best way to hire permanent staff for a nursery?

The best approach is to use a specialist agency like Nursery Staff Ltd, which focuses on permanent recruitment for nurseries and care settings. They understand the specific needs of early years roles and can match you with qualified candidates. Alternatively, generalist firms like Bright Side Recruitment or Not Monkeys Recruitment can also handle permanent multi-sector hires.

How do I handle urgent staffing needs in early years?

For urgent needs, consider an agency with local in-country hiring, such as Aristo Search, which offers a dedicated consultant and a replacement guarantee. They can quickly source candidates from the local area. Also, maintain a pool of vetted relief staff through agencies like Staffing Agency for flexible cover.