UK Expands School-Based Nurseries Across Regions Adding 7,000 Places by 2026

The UK government is expanding its school-based nursery program, with 189 of 300 new or expanded nurseries already operational this month, providing over 4,000 new nursery places across England to support early childhood development and ease the school run for working parents. A new £45 million investment will fund an additional 300 nurseries expected to open by September 2026, prioritizing schools in disadvantaged communities to improve equitable access to early education. Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasized the program's goal to help working parents balance work and family life by co-locating nurseries on primary school grounds, and highlighted the introduction of 30 hours of free childcare weekly for children from nine months to age four. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson noted that school-based nurseries offer continuity and a nurturing environment that supports children's readiness for primary school while assisting working families. The program has received positive feedback from advocacy groups such as Working Families, which stress the importance of affordable childcare in enabling parental employment. Overall, the expansion aims to provide more choice, convenience, and support for families, especially in areas with greatest need, under the government's broader Best Start initiative.