A REDDITCH school is one of the first in the country to benefit from the governments school-based nursery programme, which is providing £37million this year to create 6,000 new early years places.
Funds of over £100,000 is to be invested in nursery provision at Matchborough First School Academy, hoping to bring more places for children in the town.
The cash will be used to turn underused classrooms into a high-quality nursery space and will create up to 20 new places for local families and improve support for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
Redditch MP Chris Bloore has welcomed the investment.
He said: I’m proud that Matchborough is one of the first schools in the country to benefit from the Government’s nursery programme.
“This £100,000 investment is transformational – not just for the school but for families across Redditch who deserve high-quality, affordable childcare close to home.”
During Education Questions in Parliament Mr Bloore raised the success of Matchborough’s project and pushed Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson for details on when the next round of nursery funding would be announced.
In Parliament, Mr Bloore said: “I saw first-hand the difference this funding will make.
“I want every child in Redditch to get the best possible start in life – and that means expanding this fantastic programme across our community.
“Can I therefore cheekily ask the Secretary of State to confirm when the next round of funding will be available, so we can deliver even more of these excellent projects?”
The Education Secretary welcomed Mr Bloore’s advocacy and said: “We are determined to move as fast as we can to deliver the next phase.
“I look forward to discussing that further.”
The MP added: “Matchborough First School is a shining example of what we can achieve when we invest properly in our children’s futures.
“But we can’t stop here.
“Every child deserves the best start in life, and that starts with high-quality, inclusive early years education.”
