- Swaffham CofE Primary Academy school is part of the first wave of Labour’s new school-based nurseries giving children the best start in life and getting them ready for school
- Government funded childcare expansion to put £7,500 back in parents’ pockets from September
- The first schools will provide up to 6,000 new childcare places to fill childcare deserts
Families across South West Norfolk will soon benefit from new nursery places. Swaffham Church of England Primary Academy is part of the Labour government’s new scheme to roll out 300 new or expanded school-based nurseries by converting classrooms into top quality early years spaces.
Terry Jermy MP, Member of Parliament for South West Norfolk, said, “Yet again Labour are delivering for children and families, giving everyone the best opportunity at the start of life. I am thrilled that Swaffham has been given funding as part of Labour’s plan to roll out school-based nurseries.
“I know from speaking to families across the area I fully appreciate the need for high-quality education that is available nearby and doesn’t break the bank.
“I look forward to visiting the nursery as soon as possible”.
From September, working parents will get 30 government-funded hours of childcare a week, from 9 months of age right up to starting school – saving parents up to £7,500 a year. These new nurseries will help deliver additional places needed for the scheme.
The first 300 schools will see an average of 20 childcare places per site, with up to 4,000 of these available by September and a further 2,000 later this autumn. Places will be focused in childcare ‘deserts’, where up until now families have been missing out due to a shortage of places.
Bridget Phillipson, Secretary of State for Education, said, “School-based nurseries are an essential plank of Labour’s Plan for Change, giving every child the best start in life.
“While the Tories made a childcare pledge without a plan, Labour is delivering on its promises.
“Alongside our plans to roll out free breakfast clubs, these high-quality childcare places will get thousands more children school ready, breaking the link between background and success for families across the country.”
This announcement comes alongside the rollout of breakfast clubs in primary schools, with the first 750 schools set to launch later this month – saving families up to £450 a year.
This is the first step to delivering the 3,000 school-based nurseries Labour promised in its election-winning manifesto, giving parents choice, and helping every child get the best start in life.
