Labour’s Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson, has announced the first stage of the government’s plan to deliver 3,000 nurseries by upgrading spare spaces in primary schools will begin next month.
From this month, schools will be invited to bid for a share of £15 million capital funding, with capacity in the programme to deliver up to 300 new or expanded nurseries in this first round.
The announcement follows the successful rollout of additional government-funded childcare hours in September 2024. The September 2025 has significant inherited delivery challenges, which this measure seeks to partly address.
The announcement forms part of Labour’s ambition to create 3,000 new nurseries in primary schools, and long-term plan to modernise early years education and childcare, making it more widely available, accessible, and high quality.
Darren Paffey MP has written to local primary school headteachers and the City Council to invite them and work with them in their bids to be one of the first new nurseries in the Country.
Bridget Phillipson MP, Secretary of State for Education, said:
“I’m determined to deliver a sea change in the way this country approaches early years education, this is a crucial first step.
“We inherited a childcare pledge without a plan from the Conservatives, but we’re putting our shoulder to the wheel to support hard-pressed parents.
“This is a child-centred government, supporting working families and unlocking opportunity for young people.”
Darren Paffey MP, Member of Parliament for Southampton Itchen, said:
“From speaking to families in Southampton Itchen I know just how big of a financial pressure childcare can be, often costing as much as a mortgage.
“That’s why I’m so pleased to see this Labour government’s ambition to modernise the system, boosting work choices and life chances for children.
“I am determined that Southampton Itchen opens one of the first of these new nurseries, just like we did with Sure Start. Southampton is the city of opportunity and this will help realise this.
“As part of our mission-driven approach to government, we’re breaking down barriers to opportunity at the very earliest stage.”
Notes to editors:
• See original Department for Education release here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/school-based-nurseries-funding-round-to-launchnext-month.
• DfE newsdesk available on 020 7783 830