The Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson, announces the planned opening of these new schools-based nurseries.
Two hundred new schools-based nurseries are opening in September, with spaces for about 4,000 children. There are also plans in place for a further 300 later in the autumn. These new provisions are part of the government’s plan for the early years sector to help working parents by providing better access to childcare. The government has specifically chosen to open these provisions in schools that are in ‘places currently underserved by the market.’ 1
The Education Secretary explains,
“Every corner of the early years sector has a vital role to play, and the progress made so far, in the face of an enormous inherited delivery challenge, is testament to their dedication to children and families up and down the country. This September is only the beginning. This government has a clear plan for change to get tens of thousands more children school-ready each year so that every child, from any background, gets the opportunities they need to get on in life.” 1
Other measures in the plan include free breakfast clubs, a school uniform cost cap, increased free hours of childcare to 30 hours a week 1 and an extension for free school meals to include ‘all children in families receiving universal credit’. 2 The government estimates that the funded childcare will save parents an average of £7,500 and breakfast clubs will save a further £450 a year. 1
