Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Maintained Nursery Schools

Monday 16 January 2023 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 2 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Maintained nursery schools receive an additional 10 million in supplementary funding from 2023-24.
  • The Minister supports the maintained nursery school sector for its role in supporting disadvantaged children.
  • The funding increase for early years education totals about half a billion pounds since 2020-21.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Theresa Villiers Con
Children & Families
Context

The question arises from the need to support disadvantaged children through early education. There is a specific mention of funding disparities affecting Barnet.

Question

What steps she is taking to support maintained nursery schools? I warmly welcome that extra funding, because it means for the first time that maintained nursery schools in Barnet will get a share of the supplementary funding. Will the Minister join me in welcoming that funding and express her strong support for the maintained nursery school sector in the future?

Answer from Claire Coutinho

Maintained nursery schools make an invaluable contribution to improving the lives of disadvantaged children. We are investing an additional £10 million in their supplementary funding from 2023-24, taking the total to approximately £70 million. My right hon. Friend has consistently and passionately campaigned for the maintained nursery school sector. I agree that it is doing an excellent job, not only in supporting some of the most disadvantaged children, but in sharing expertise and knowledge with other providers.

Answered
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Q2 Theresa Villiers Con
Children & Families
Context

The question follows the announcement of additional funding for maintained nursery schools. There is a particular focus on Barnet and its new eligibility for supplementary funding.

Question

Will the Minister join me in welcoming that funding and express her strong support for the maintained nursery school sector in the future?

Answer from Claire Coutinho

My right hon. Friend has consistently and passionately campaigned for the maintained nursery school sector. I agree that it is doing an excellent job, not only in supporting some of the most disadvantaged children, but in sharing expertise and knowledge with other providers.

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Q3 Wera Hobhouse Lib Dem Bath
Children & Families
Context

The question addresses the closure of Midford Road Nursery due to staff shortages and similar issues affecting other nurseries in Bath. Parents face difficulties finding alternative childcare options.

Question

What advice would the Minister give to parents in Bath who are struggling to find a nursery?

Answer from Claire Coutinho

We have increased the funding set out for early years by about half a billion pounds since 2020-21. I agree that workforce is an issue; we are looking at recruitment and retention very carefully and will be setting out proposals as and when we can.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific advice or concrete solutions for parents dealing with nursery closures and staffing issues were not provided.

How: Looking At Recruitment And Retention Very Carefully

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