School-based Nurseries 2025-06-16
2025-06-16
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The Public Childcare Now campaign highlights concerns that the model for expanding nursery provision through multi-academy trusts may encourage privatisation, reduce accessibility, and undermine staff pay and conditions.
The Government have announced £37 million for the first round of schools to expand nursery provision, supporting the roll-out of the extended 30 hours childcare offer in England, but nearly two thirds of funded schools are part of multi-academy trusts. Concerns remain that this model encourages privatisation, reduces accessibility and undermines staff pay and conditions. What assurances can the Minister offer that expanding entitlements without investing in public infrastructure will not exacerbate these issues?
I am delighted that so many academies are taking part in our school nursery programme. Academies drive innovation across our system and are an important part of the system we have. Of course, it was the last Labour Government who first brought about the academies programme to drive up performance in our schools and to make sure that all our children get a brilliant education. Sadly, we know that after 14 years of the Tories, far too many children, including in our most disadvantaged communities, do not get the education they deserve. That is why our schools White Paper later this year will make it a reality once and for all that they do.
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Assessment & feedback
The Secretary of State did not provide specific assurances regarding privatisation or staff pay conditions.
Under Review
Working With Partners
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
Swallow Dell primary in Welwyn Garden City is seeking to expand its nursery provision but was unsuccessful in the first round. The constituency MP seeks support for Swallow Dell’s future funding bids.
Swallow Dell primary in Welwyn Garden City has a state nursery and is seeking to expand, but their bid was rejected in the last round. I am passionate that this school might be able to benefit from the £370 million of additional funding. Can she outline how Swallow Dell’s bid for future funding will be considered?
I join my hon. Friend in paying tribute to the workforce at Swallow Dell for everything they are doing to make sure our children get a brilliant start in life. I am sorry that they were not successful in the first phase. There was lots of demand, and that is why I am delighted that the spending review gave £370 million to ensure that we can make further progress towards our manifesto commitment. I would be delighted to discuss it further with him.
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Assessment & feedback
The Secretary of State did not provide specific details about criteria for future funding rounds.
Under Review
Working With Partners
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The Conservative party's childcare pledge lacked a clear plan, whereas the Labour Government are delivering on promises to provide working families with 15 hours of government-funded childcare. Keresley Newland primary academy is part of this initiative.
I am proud of how this Labour Government have delivered to provide working families with 15 hours of Government-funded childcare and funding for new school-based nurseries, including at Keresley Newland primary academy in Bedworth. Can she outline the role that school-based nurseries will play in ramping up to the 30 hours of Government-funded childcare this September?
I will certainly do my best to visit Keresley Newland, and I am delighted that it is taking part in our school-based nurseries programme. We are determined to make sure that every child gets the best start in life. We know that the early years are crucial, and that is why we have set an ambitious target of making sure that a record number of children at the end of the early years foundation stage are ready for the next step on their journey through the school system.
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Assessment & feedback
The Secretary of State did not provide specific details on the roll-out plan from 15 to 30 hours.
Under Review
Working With Partners
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
Matchborough first school in Redditch received funding to transform unused classrooms into nursery spaces. The constituency MP seeks confirmation on when the next round of funding will be available.
I recently visited Matchborough first school, one of the first schools in the country to receive substantial funding to transform unused classrooms into much-needed nursery spaces. Can I therefore cheekily ask the Secretary of State to confirm when the next round of funding will be available?
It is because we know the benefits that primary-based nurseries can bring, often working with the private, voluntary and independent sector, that we are determined to move as fast as we can to deliver the next phase. I look forward to discussing that further with my hon. Friend.
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Assessment & feedback
The Secretary of State did not provide a specific confirmation date for the next funding round.
Under Review
Working With Partners
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
Nurseries in Vikki Slade's constituency are struggling due to national insurance tax rises and changes in consumables. The Department of Education has already informed that nurseries can claim small business rate relief but only if they have fewer than 18 children, which is not the case for most nurseries with an average of 75 children.
In the last couple of months, I have been speaking to lots of nursery providers across my constituency about these issues, and the thing that comes up again and again is small business rate relief. The Secretary of State’s Department has already replied saying that nurseries can claim the relief, but a nursery has to have fewer than 18 children to qualify, and the average number in my constituency is 75. Those nurseries are not eligible, and the national insurance and consumables changes are crippling them, so they are now considering not taking on Government-funded children. What should they do?
I know that the Under-Secretary of State for Education, my hon. Friend the Member for Portsmouth South (Stephen Morgan), has been in touch with the hon. Lady recently to discuss this matter further, and I personally will happily look further into the case that she has raised. We are investing record sums in early years education and working with the sector to deliver the places that are needed.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide specific actions nurseries can take due to their current situation where they cannot qualify for small business rate relief.
Discussing General Investments In Early Years Education
Response accuracy