Government funding secured for nursery at Locking Primary School

Three new or expanded school-based nurseries across the West, including one at Locking Primary School in Weston-super-Mare, are set to open in September providing a lifeline for thousands of parents juggling children and work. 

The new childcare settings are being funded by national government, are part of a second wave of schools across the country who have successfully applied for a share of the government’s £45 million fund to build or expand nurseries on school sites, to provide thousands more childcare places. 

Combined with the 30 hours of funded childcare the settings will help more parents back into work. 

Creating additional childcare places is a key focus of the West of England’s Child Poverty Action Plan with more access to childcare helping parents back into work. 

Parents in the West are facing an average journey time of 19 minutes to get their children to school, with many of these facing drop-offs in more than one location. 

Councillor Catherine Gibbons, Deputy Leader of North Somerset Council and Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Families, Skills and Lifelong Learning, said:

“We’re pleased to see funding that will help Locking Primary School expand its nursery. Families in North Somerset tell us how important it is to have the right childcare in the right place. These extra places will give parents more choice and help more children get the best start in life.” 

Helen Godwin, Mayor of the West of England, said:

“I know the juggle that so many parents and carers face, especially when childcare so often does not work.

“Three more schools opening a nursery setting, or expanding their current offer, will have a big impact for families in those areas, in addition to the seven new or expanded nurseries which were announced last summer.

“I also warmly welcome the new local-led model, providing the opportunity for our council partners to suggest areas which would benefit from more school-based childcare settings.

“As we continue to work closely with the government and our councils, my focus is on ensuring change that people can see and feel and lifting more children in the West out of poverty.”