The education secretary has visited a school in Bracknell Forest to welcome the government’s boost in nursery provision.
The education secretary, Bridget Phillipson, visited Uplands Primary School on Albion Road in Sandhurst, Bracknell Forest on Thursday, January 15 to see extra nursery provision funded by the government.
The school received grant money to open places for two-year-olds, offering early learning and childcare for working parents. Children were seen taking part in sensory activities and gardening during the visit.
Mrs Phillipson said: “It’s been fantastic to see the expanded provision today right across the country by delivering more places where they’re needed through our school-based nurseries programme, but also putting in place 30 hours of government-funded childcare so that parents have got the support they need.”
She added: “But it will also save parents £7,500 a year, and that runs alongside the free breakfast clubs that we’re rolling out, expanding free school meals to all children on Universal Credit.”
“All of that together will make a big difference to families around the cost of living, but it will also set children up to succeed, making sure they get the best start in life.”
Mrs Phillipson was accompanied by Peter Swallow, the Labour MP for Bracknell, who represents Sandhurst. He said: “It was great to welcome the education secretary to see first-hand the incredible impact this Labour government is making with supporting local families.”
He added: “These places offer vital choice to Sandhurst families, and increase support for our community’s children when they most need it.”
Uplands was part of phase one of the Department for Education’s school-based nursery programme. It was among 300 schools funded last year to create around 6,000 new nursery places. The scheme supports care and early learning on existing school sites and can be run by schools or independent carers.
The Department for Education invited bids of up to £150,000 for phase two (the bidding closed in December). The government says phase two is backed by £45 million to deliver at least 300 new or expanded school-based nurseries, ready to offer new places for the 2026-27 academic year starting this December.
The government also says school-based nurseries make drop-offs easier and provide continuity of care from the start of a child’s education.
James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporter
