Are you being paid what you’re worth? What early years educators earn — and what agencies don’t tell you

If you’re working in nurseries through an agency, there’s a number you’ve probably never been shown. Here it is.

There is a figure that most staffing agencies in the early years sector work very hard to keep invisible. It is the difference between what a nursery pays them for your shift, and what they pass on to you.

That gap — which can easily amount to £6, £8, even £10 per hour — is their margin. It is built into every shift you work, every booking you accept, every hour you spend with the children in their care. You never see it on an invoice. You are rarely told it exists.

We think you should know.

Agency margin: up to 35% of what the nursery pays — never shown on your payslip.

What agencies charge — and what you see

Staffing agencies in the early years sector typically charge nurseries between £19 and £25 per hour for supply cover, depending on the role and qualification level. For cooks, rates can reach £30 per hour or more.

Here is what a qualified Level 3 educator typically receives from that: around £14 to £15 per hour.

Which means the agency is often keeping £6 to £10 of every hour you work — for connecting you to a nursery that probably already knows you exist, in an area you already live in, for a shift you could have found yourself.

We are not saying agencies provide no value. Finding work takes time and effort, and a good agency handles admin nobody wants to do. But when the margin can be a third or more of what the nursery pays — and it is invisible to you — that is worth knowing about.

What you earn with Kalendit

Kalendit works differently. Every educator sees their rate before they accept a shift. Every nursery sees exactly what they pay. There is no hidden margin and no mystery invoicing.

Here is what educators on our platform currently earn:

Role	Hourly rate
Unqualified educator	£13.65
Level 2 qualified	£14.00 – £16.00
Level 3 qualified	£17.50 – £20.00
Kitchen assistant	£16.70
Cleaner	£13.00

A small booking fee applies — 4% standard, dropping to 2% for Gold educators who complete 10 or more shifts or 80+ hours per month. That is it. Nothing hidden, nothing added later.

The qualified educator difference

If you hold a Level 3 Early Years qualification, the numbers are particularly stark.

A typical agency shift: £14–15 per hour. A Kalendit shift: £17.50–20.00 per hour gross, £16.80–19.20 net after fees.

That is up to £5 more per hour in your pocket. Over a standard 7-hour shift, that is up to £35 more per booking. Over 10 shifts a month, that is up to £350 more per month — simply by choosing a platform that is transparent about how it works.

And if you reach Gold status (10 shifts or 80+ hours per month), your booking fee halves to 2%, putting even more back in your hands.

Earning more with Kalendit — beyond the hourly rate

The hourly rate is only part of the picture. Kalendit educators also have access to:

Star Educator bonus — £20 per month. Complete a minimum of 8 shifts per month and maintain a 5-star rating, and you receive a £20 monthly bonus. You are also featured on our social media and newsletter — which means more nurseries see your profile and more bookings come to you.

Referral bonuses. Know other great educators? Refer them and earn £30 for every unqualified educator and £80 for every qualified educator. Bonuses are paid once your referral completes their first shift with positive feedback, and there is no limit on how many people you can refer.

Working in Surrey, Hampshire or Kent — or know educators there? We are actively expanding in those areas right now, and referral bonuses are uplifted to £50 (unqualified) and £120 (qualified) for educators who join to cover shifts in those locations.

Content creation bonus — £50. If you enjoy creating content, we pay £50 for approved Kalendit promotional videos. One per educator per month.

Nursery referral bonus — £200. Know a nursery that could benefit from Kalendit? Refer them and earn £200 once they complete three bookings.

No limit on referrals. Priority area rates apply to Surrey, Hampshire and Kent: £50 unqualified / £120 qualified.

Full transparency — always

When you accept a shift through Kalendit, you see: the nursery name and location, the shift date and hours, your exact hourly rate, the booking fee, and your total earnings for that shift.

No surprises. No deductions after the fact. No wondering what the nursery actually paid.

Who is Kalendit for?

We work with qualified and unqualified early years educators, kitchen assistants and cleaning staff across London, Surrey, Hampshire and Kent. We are particularly looking for Level 3 qualified educators across all our locations, Level 2 qualified educators in Surrey and Hampshire, and any qualified early years professional considering more flexible work.

If you are currently working through an agency and wondering whether there is a better option — there is.

Rates and bonuses shown are current guide figures and depend on role, qualification, location and shift — they are not a guarantee of specific earnings, and scheme terms may change. Agency comparisons are based on market estimates and typical industry margins. Correct as of July 2026.