It has been announced today that two schools in Southampton Test are to receive funding from the Labour Government to offer more nursery places.
Mansel Park Primary School and Sinclair Primary School are both to receive money as part of the Labour Government’s ‘Best Start’ school-based nursery programme and will be expanding their existing nursery capacity as a result.
The news has been welcomed by Satvir Kaur, Member of Parliament for Southampton Test, where both schools are based.
The schools are among 331 schools across the country successful in applying for a share of £45 million funding, to build or expand nurseries on site.
Nationwide, the new Best Start nurseries will create over 6,000 more childcare places, on top of up to 7,000 already being delivered from the first phase of the programme.
The announcement follows a report published last week showing the government’s childcare reforms have halved costs for eligible working parents since 2024.
Satvir Kaur, MP for Southampton Test, said:
“We know how much parents struggle with the balance of work and family life and, as a new parent myself, I am acutely aware of the difficulties faced.
“It’s why I‘m absolutely delighted that both Mansel Park Primary and Sinclair Primary will be expanding their school-based nurseries, thanks to this new funding from government.
“With a focus on increasing nursery provision within school settings, the government is determined to reduce the need for multiple drop-offs and pick-ups, with the aim of freeing-up more valuable time for busy families. It also means that Southampton children will get quality, school-based early education to help them thrive from day-one.”