Overview

• 189 of the first 300 school-based nurseries are opening this month, creating about 4,000 additional places for the new school year.
• The Department for Education has launched a £45 million second round offering grants of up to £150,000 per school to create or expand a further 300 nurseries by September 2026.
• Applications will be prioritised from schools serving the most disadvantaged communities to target gaps in provision.
• The expansion coincides with the start of 30 hours a week of funded childcare for eligible working parents of children from around nine months in England.
• Sector groups warn staffing pressures could limit capacity, with NFER highlighting recruitment risks and the NDNA reporting around 70% of nurseries carrying an average of four vacancies.