The Government has announced a £15m funding initiative to support the creation of up to 300 new or expanded school-based nurseries across England.
More than 320,000 additional children are now accessing 15 hours of government-funded early education per week. A full rollout of 30 hours is expected by September 2025.
According to the Department for Education, around 70,000 additional places and 35,000 early years educators will still be needed to deliver the expansion to 30 hours next September.
Primary schools will be able to apply for up to £150,000 of the £15m capital funding.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said: ‘Our new school-based nurseries will provide thousands of additional places where they are needed most, plugging historic gaps and making sure geography is no barrier to high quality childcare.
‘Whilst some parents may not get their first-choice place next September, I’m determined that every parent is able to access and afford the hours that they are entitled to.’
