Community has welcomed the government’s announcement of £15million to support the launch of 300 school-based nurseries across England, whilst highlighting the need for a robust plan for the workforce needed to support the roll-out of new places.
Primary schools can now apply for up to £150,000 from the £15million funding pot to deliver a nursery setting within their facility. The Department for Education expects to allocate funding to successful schools next Spring, with a view to supporting the delivery of the first cohort of new nursery places in September 2025.
Helen Osgood, Community’s Director of Operations and National Officer for Education and Early Years, said:
“We welcome the new funding announced by the Education Secretary, and fully support the Labour government’s wider mission to break the unfair link between background and opportunity by giving every child the best start in life. The contrast between the continued neglect of the sector over the last fourteen years and the positive ambition being shown now could not be starker.
“At the same time, it is important to note that the roll-out of new nursery places comes with significant challenges, not least in terms of the demands being placed on the early years workforce. Indeed, even the Department for Education’s own data suggests that some 35,000 early years educators will be needed to deliver the expanded childcare offer from next September. The Education Secretary has rightly talked about the need to build up and equip the workforce for the challenges ahead, and we look forward to working closely with the government to ensure that our members in the early years workers are properly supported.”
Community Union’s Lead Officer for Early Years Letitia McCalla said:
“The government has rightly prioritised reforms to the early years sector, and the Education Secretary’s commitment to address the gaps in provision which exist across the country is welcome. It is important that the early years workforce is at the heart of the government’s plans for reform.
“The recruitment and retention crisis in the sector – inherited from the previous government – is still a major issue, and we need a wide-ranging and robust workforce plan in place to ensure early years educators get the recognition and rewards for the vital work they do. This is something Community will continue to lobby for as part of our Early Years Charter.”
To read more about Community’s Early Years Charter, visit: https://community-tu.org/campaigns/early-years-charter/
Community is the union for education and early years professionals: representing teachers, headteachers, education, school support staff and early years staff. With over fifty years’ experience, we represent members and campaign to improve conditions for education and early years professionals. We are a modern trade union, campaigning for a better working world.
If you are a member of Community and need advice or support, please contact our Service Centre at help@community-tu.org or on 0800 389 6332.
© Community Trade Union 2024