About 200 new nurseries to open at schools in England in September

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"Government to Open 200 New School-Based Nurseries in England This September"

About 200 new nurseries to open at schools in England in September analysis cover image The Guardian 8.3
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Original Article Source: https://www.theguardian.com/education/2025/jun/30/about-200-new-nurseries-to-open-at-schools-in-england-in-september
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TruthLens AI Summary

In a significant move to enhance childcare accessibility for working parents, the government of England is set to open approximately 200 new school-based nurseries this September. This initiative, announced by Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson, aims to provide childcare for up to 4,000 children under school age. The nurseries will be strategically placed in areas that currently lack adequate childcare options, ensuring that families in underserved communities receive the support they need. Phillipson emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating that it is just the beginning of a broader plan to prepare tens of thousands of children for school each year, regardless of their background. The government anticipates that the program will eventually expand to include 300 nurseries, with the additional openings scheduled for the autumn season. This expansion is part of a wider strategy that includes free breakfast clubs, an increase in free childcare hours, and efforts to reduce the costs of school uniforms, all aimed at alleviating the financial burden on parents.

The initiative is backed by a substantial funding commitment, with the government allocating nearly £370 million to support the nurseries' establishment and sustainability. Each new nursery is expected to accommodate an average of 20 children, which could lead to the creation of up to 6,000 new childcare places by the time the program is fully rolled out. Educational leaders, such as Wayne Wathen-Howell, headteacher of Minet Infant and Nursery School, have expressed enthusiasm about the impact these nurseries will have on local communities. Parents have voiced their need for affordable, high-quality childcare options close to home, and these new facilities are designed to meet that demand. By converting empty classrooms into early years settings, the government is not only making efficient use of existing resources but also ensuring that children receive a supportive start in their educational journey. This initiative represents a critical step towards improving early childhood education and support for families across England.

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Source URL: https://www.theguardian.com/education/2025/jun/30/about-200-new-nurseries-to-open-at-schools-in-england-in-september

About 200 school-based nurseries will open in England this September as part of the government’s plan to improve access to childcare for working parents.

The milestone will be announced on Monday byBridget Phillipson, the education secretary, who will say that the sites will accommodate 4,000 children under school age.

A further wave of school-based nurseries will launch in the autumn, taking the total to 300, adding to other measures aimed at helping parents such as free breakfast clubs, more free hours of childcare, an expansion of free school meals and a cap on school uniform costs.

Phillipson said: “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.”

Phillipson first announced the plan just before theLabour party conference last year, saying 300 sites would be open within 12 months.

The government said the 200 sites getting ready to open were exceeding the number of places they thought they could offer, with 4,000 projected.

Phillipson said the schools were chosen in places currently underserved by the market. There will be an average of 20 places for each site and up to 6,000 new places when the programme is complete.

The government believes that30 funded hours of childcarea week will save parents up to £7,500 on average, while £450 a year will be saved through freebreakfast clubs in schools.

Last month, the government announced almost £370m of further funding to support the future of the programme. Some of the sites involve the conversion of empty classrooms into early years settings.

Wayne Wathen-Howell, the headteacher of Minet infant and nursery school in Hayes, said: “We’re proud to be opening a new nursery right here in our school – it’s a big moment for our community.

“Parents have told us how important it is to have affordable, high-quality childcare close to home, and this new nursery will make a real difference. Not only will it help families balance work and family life, it also gives our youngest children the best possible start in a familiar, supportive environment.”

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Source: The Guardian