MORE local children could benefit from extra places closer to home under plans to expand school-based nursery provision.
Staffordshire County Council’s cabinet will discuss the authority’s participation in the Department for Education’s School-based Nursery Capital Grant programme for 2027 to 2030.
The programme is designed to create additional early years places in areas where they are needed most, particularly in communities where families may face greater challenges and where access to good quality early education can have the biggest impact.
The latest phase of the national programme includes £325million of Government funding, and will run over three years.
For the first time, local authorities will lead the process by submitting applications to the Department for Education on behalf of interested schools and academies.
Cllr Janet Higgins, Staffordshire County Council’s cabinet member for education and SEND, said:
"Every child deserves the best possible start in life, and that begins with access to good quality early education close to home.
"This programme gives us a real opportunity to create more nursery places in the parts of Staffordshire where they are needed most, helping more families access high-quality early education close to home.
"As a former teacher, I know how important those early years are. Good early education can make a lasting difference to a child’s confidence, development and readiness for school.
"By working closely with schools and our partners, we can give more children the best possible start in life. Helping them learn, play and thrive in safe, nurturing environments from the very beginning."
If approved, the council would work with schools, academies and Best Start Family Hubs to identify suitable projects and develop applications for funding.
Schemes could include creating new nursery classes within primary schools, expanding existing nursery provision or developing nursery units led by school governors.
Schools and academies have been invited to develop expressions of interest, with applications expected to be reviewed and submitted to the Department for Education later in 2026.
The first funding payments are expected from summer 2027, with projects delivered through to 2030.
The county council's cabinet will discuss the use of the fund at a meeting on 15th July.
