Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

School-based Nurseries

Monday 16 June 2025 · 5 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 5 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Steve Witherden questioned the Government's 37 million funding for nursery provision, expressing concerns over the model's encouragement of privatization.
  • Andrew Lewin inquired about Swallow Dell primary's bid rejection and sought details on future funding opportunities for the school.
  • Rachel Taylor highlighted the Labour Government's achievement in providing 15 hours of funded childcare and funding for new school-based nurseries, including at Keresley Newland primary academy.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Steve Witherden Lab Montgomeryshire and Glyndŵr
Education Children & Families
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.

Question

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?

Answer from The Secretary of State for Education (Bridget Phillipson)

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Secretary of State did not provide specific assurances regarding privatisation or staff pay conditions.

How: Under Review, Working With Partners

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Q2 Andrew Lewin Lab Welwyn Hatfield
Education Children & Families
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.

Question

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?

Answer from The Secretary of State for Education (Bridget Phillipson)

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Secretary of State did not provide specific details about criteria for future funding rounds.

How: Under Review, Working With Partners

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Q3 Rachel Taylor Lab North Warwickshire and Bedworth
Children & Families
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.

Question

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?

Answer from The Secretary of State for Education (Bridget Phillipson)

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Secretary of State did not provide specific details on the roll-out plan from 15 to 30 hours.

How: Under Review, Working With Partners

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Q4 Chris Bloore Lab Redditch
Education Children & Families
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.

Question

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?

Answer from The Secretary of State for Education (Bridget Phillipson)

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Secretary of State did not provide a specific confirmation date for the next funding round.

How: Under Review, Working With Partners

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Q5 Vikki Slade Lib Dem Mid Dorset and North Poole
Education Business & Trade Children & Families
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.

Question

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?

Answer from The Secretary of State for Education (Bridget Phillipson)

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific actions nurseries can take due to their current situation where they cannot qualify for small business rate relief.

How: Discussing General Investments In Early Years Education

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