A BARNSLEY primary school has become the only in the borough to have successfully applied for government funding for a new nursery - and they’re hoping to have it up and running by September.
The government announced earlier this week that it was expanding childcare to more than 300 schools later this year.
Brierley CofE Primary School has been named as the only in Barnsley to receive the funding.
The government say that school-based nurseries are already providing a lifeline for families.
Combined with the government’s 30 hours of funded childcare, they are cutting childcare costs in half for working families, making the school run simpler with fewer drop offs during busy mornings, and helping parents return to work.
The Brierley school will receive a share of £45m in funding to create the nursery, which will be based on site.
Headteacher Samantha Benson told the Chronicle: “It’s something that we looked into a little while ago.
“We worked with the local authority to assess if there was going to be a need for a nursery in our area - and it turned out there is need for a three to four-year-old provision.
“So that’s what we’re going to do.
“We’re going to have our nursery on our school ground which we’re delighted about.
“There are a few nurseries close by and they offer a different kind of provision.
“What we’re offering is really trying to get those children ready for starting school in reception from September when they’re four years old.
“We’re very hopeful that our new nursery will be up and running from September.”
The school are hoping that the nursery will benefit the whole of the community.
Samantha added: “We’ve sent out some applications from parents and we’ve received quite a number already.
“We will be capping our number at 30.
“So we’re just hopeful that it is popular and it does what we wanted it to do, which is really help our local community.
“It will help us to identify needs nice and early so that when children do join us in reception, we’ve already got support in place and we know exactly what needs they’ve got.”
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the move will support local families.
He added: “As a parent, I know how hard it can be to juggle work and family life, especially in those early days where time is precious and sleep is short.
“School-based nurseries are already driving a seismic shift in how childcare supports families.
“Now we’re going even further to build on what works with over 300 new nurseries - cutting childcare costs, simplifying the school run, and helping parents at a time when household budgets are under real pressure.
“This is about targeting support where it’s needed most, easing the cost of living and giving every child the best start in life.”
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson added: “Our school-based nurseries are already helping fill the gaps in communities where childcare is hardest to find, giving children the strong start they deserve and helping parents access childcare close to home.
“By expanding these nurseries further and targeting them at the areas that need them most, we are making sure more families can benefit from quality early education while putting practical support in place to help with the cost of living.
“For too long, where a child grows up has shaped what they go on to achieve.
“This government was elected to change that - starting with giving every child the best start in life and making sure every family can access the childcare they need, wherever they live.”
