THE first round of funding for up to 300 school-based nurseries has been launched.

This is part of the government's initiative to provide all children with the best possible start in life.

Primary schools can now submit applications for a portion of the £15 million capital fund, with a cap of £150,000 per school.

The aim is to support the establishment or expansion of 300 nurseries across England.

This move is part of the government's broader mission to eliminate barriers to opportunity and disengage the connection between a child's background and their success in life.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said: "All children should have the opportunity of a brilliant early education, no matter who they are, where they’re from or how much their parents earn.

"Our new school-based nurseries will provide thousands of additional places where they are needed most, plugging historic gaps and making sure geography is no barrier to high quality childcare."

The initiative follows the second phase of the childcare rollout last month, which saw 321,462 additional children gain access to 15 hours of government-funded early education per week.

This project is part of a larger plan to transform the early years sector to enhance children's life chances and broaden parents' work choices.

Pressures on finances

Leigh and Atherton MP Jo Platt said: "I know from speaking with families across the Leigh and Atherton constituency how childcare can put pressure on household finances.

"I also know they want to give their children the best possible start in life.

"That’s why I know this measure will be welcomed, expanding early years education will help us give parents better work choices and children better life chances."

The Government acknowledges the crucial role of all sector parts in providing quality care for children.

However, schools, being at the heart of communities, are considered best suited to support children with special educational needs and offer more places in deprived areas.

The school-based nursery funding will be available for projects run by schools, private and voluntary providers, or childminders, to ensure the programme supports the most vulnerable children and complements the existing market.

The Government expects to allocate funds to successful schools by spring 2025, aiming to deliver the first cohort of places by September.