The Government has announced that more than 300 schools across England will open or expand nurseries from September, as part of efforts to reduce childcare costs and improve provision in deprived areas.
A total of 331 schools have been successful in applying for a share of £45m in funding to build or expand nurseries on their sites, creating over 6,000 additional childcare places.
New figures show over a million parents now use the Government's funded childcare offer, but the data also reveals lower take-up in poorer communities. School-based nurseries make up around 35% of childcare provision in the most deprived areas, compared with 16% in the least deprived.
From May, the programme will move to a locally led model, with councils invited to propose plans for new places in communities with the greatest need.
For the first time, Best Start Family Hubs will also be able to host school-based nurseries, bringing childcare together with family support and health visiting under one roof.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said: ‘By expanding these nurseries further and targeting them at the areas that need them most, we are making sure more families can benefit from quality early education while putting practical support in place to help with the cost of living.’
