Ministers have revealed plans for over 300 new or upgraded school-based nurseries, offering thousands of additional childcare spots starting in September. Keir Starmer praised the move as a significant change in how childcare supports families managing work responsibilities. The initial wave of 300 new school-based nurseries was introduced last April.

Today, the government has announced 331 schools that have secured funding from a £45 million allocation to construct or expand nurseries on their premises. The Department for Education stated that this initiative will generate an extra 6,000 childcare places for children across various regions.

In line with Labour’s 2024 election manifesto, an additional 3,000 nurseries are set to open by repurposing space in primary schools nationwide. Since last September, working parents of children over nine months have had access to 30 hours of subsidized childcare per week. The introduction of new school-based nurseries will further increase the availability of childcare spaces for families.

Keir Starmer emphasized, “As a parent, I understand the challenges of balancing work and family life, particularly in the early stages where time is limited and rest is scarce. School-based nurseries are already revolutionizing how childcare supports families. By introducing over 300 new nurseries, we aim to reduce childcare expenses, simplify the school routine, and assist parents during a period of financial strain. This initiative targets support where it is most needed, alleviating the cost of living and providing every child with a strong foundation for the future.”

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson remarked, “Our school-based nurseries are already addressing the childcare gaps in communities where it is most challenging to find such services, offering children the quality start they deserve while enabling parents to access childcare conveniently close to home.”

For the complete list of the 331 new school-based nurseries, please refer below.