Three schools in Medway included in first round of funding for government’s ‘school-based nurseries’ plan from September

Funding has been secured to open new school-based nurseries across several towns in a bid to tackle so-called childcare “deserts”.

Three schools in Medway — All Faiths Children’s Academy and Cedar Children’s Academy, both in Strood, and Horsted Infants School in Chatham — are among the first wave to benefit from the government’s childcare expansion scheme.

Each nursery will be created by converting existing classrooms into what the Department for Education describes as “top-quality” early years spaces, helping local families access more affordable childcare close to home.

From September, the government is rolling out a major childcare expansion aimed at supporting working parents and helping children access early education from a much younger age.

The scheme will offer 30 hours of funded childcare per week for children from the age of nine months until they start school. Previously, this support only applied to three- and four-year-olds.

The aim is to reduce childcare costs, with estimated savings of up to £7,500 a year for families, and to help parents return to work or increase their hours, while also improving access to early learning to support child development and school readiness.

Rochester and Strood MP Lauren Edwards welcomed the news, calling it a vital investment in local families.

She said: “School-based nurseries are an essential part of the Government’s plans to provide pre-school education opportunities for all.

“I’m delighted Strood will be home to two of these new nurseries, which will help prepare local children for school and put more money in the pockets of parents and carers.”

Tris Osborne, MP for Chatham and Aylesford, also welcomed the funding for Horsted Infants School in his constituency and said it reflected what local parents have been asking for.

“I know from speaking to families across my constituency the need for high-quality education that is available nearby and doesn’t break the bank,” he added.

“I look forward to visiting the nursery when it opens in September.

“This is evidence that Labour’s Plan for Change is delivering for families and getting children school-ready.”

Kirstie Jones, deputy regional director for the Thinking Schools Academy Trust, which runs both Strood schools included in the rollout, said the nurseries will meet growing demand in the area.

She said: “We are thrilled to receive this funding from the Department for Education which will allow us to welcome an additional age group into our care, helping meet the growing need in our community and assist even more local families.”

The Department for Education has committed £37million to fund the first phase of the plan, which involves creating 300 new or expanded school-based nurseries across the country.

These are expected to provide around 6,000 childcare places this year, 4,000 by the end of September and a further 2,000 later in the autumn.

Each site will offer an average of 20 places.

The programme prioritises areas referred to as childcare “deserts” – places where there are not enough nursery or childminder spaces to meet demand.

The announcement comes alongside the rollout of free breakfast clubs at primary schools to provide before-school care and help working families with morning routines.

It is estimated these clubs could save families an additional £450 a year, and the first 750 are expected to launch later this month.

In Medway, St Helen’s Church of England Primary in Cliffe is set to be among the first wave to benefit.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson described school-based nurseries as an “essential plank” of Labour’s Plan for Change and giving every child the best start in life.

“While the Tories made a childcare pledge without a plan, Labour is delivering on its promises,” she added.

“These high-quality childcare places will get thousands more children school ready, breaking the link between background and success.”

While the new provision is intended to complement existing childcare settings, concerns remain about the financial sustainability of private nurseries and childminders.

Childminder Rebekah Ash-Vie, from Herne Bay, recently told KentOnline the funding rate does not match what providers usually charge.

She described trying to meet government expectations as offering “a champagne service on a lemonade budget.”

Several private nurseries said they are unsure how they will balance the books come September.

For Charlotte Roles, deputy manager at Dimples Day Nursery in Darenth, near Dartford, the pressure is becoming overwhelming as she warns extra costs will likely be passed on to parents through higher fees in order to scrape by.

Some have already capped the number of funded spaces or pulled out of the scheme altogether, saying staffing shortages, rising energy bills, and food costs make it unsustainable without further support.