Primary schools in England may lack the necessary space, facilities, and staff to accommodate the 100,000 new nursery places promised by the government, early childhood experts have warned.
Labour is facing growing pressure to ensure there is enough capacity to meet its commitment of offering 30 hours of free childcare per week for eligible parents of children aged nine months to three years. This initiative is set to begin next September and continues a policy started by the previous government.
Last week, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson announced that the first phase of Labour’s plan would see 300 new state nurseries open in primary schools by next September. These nurseries would be located in schools with empty classrooms, a result of declining birth rates. The government has allocated £15 million for this phase, but experts question whether that funding will be sufficient to prepare schools for such young children.
Dr. Aaron Bradbury, an early childhood lecturer at Nottingham Trent University, cautioned against the assumption that any available classroom could be turned into a nursery. “You can’t just say, ‘I’ve got a free classroom – let’s turn it into a nursery,’” he explained. “The space and facilities needed for very young children are completely different.”
Bradbury acknowledged that using primary schools for this purpose is a sensible idea, but said it requires a much more detailed plan. He emphasized that classrooms designed for older children are not suitable for two-year-olds, who need ample space to learn through play. Necessary adaptations could include installing small-size toilets, creating access to outdoor play areas, and even lowering windows so younger children can see outside.
For children under the age of two, Bradbury added, schools would need separate sleeping areas, kitchen facilities to sterilize bottles, and quiet spaces for changing nappies.
Sue Cowley, an expert in school behavior who has co-run a preschool for more than 10 years, also expressed doubts about schools’ willingness to take on nine-month-olds. “The staff-to-child ratios for babies are really high, making it hard to make the funding work,” Cowley said. “It’s also harder to find staff who only want to look after babies.”
Even for children aged two and up, experts warn that empty classrooms might not be spacious enough. “For this age group, you need a lot of space for different learning areas,” Cowley said, noting that preschools often require areas for sand play, climbing, reading, and art activities.
Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers union, acknowledged that some schools had been exploring the idea of setting up nurseries and would welcome the opportunity. However, he emphasized the need for “meaningful action” to address the workforce crisis in early years education.
A recent survey by the Early Years Alliance, which represents 14,000 early childhood care providers, found that nearly 80% of providers had struggled to recruit staff over the past year. More than 60% reported losing staff from the sector in the last six months.
Neil Leitch, chief executive of the Early Years Alliance, praised Phillipson for prioritizing early years education but stressed that turning political rhetoric into reality would be challenging. “The intention is solid, but the opposition narrative doesn’t always translate into the reality of governing,” he said. Low pay is a significant reason why workers leave the sector, especially during a cost-of-living crisis. Many staff members also feel “undervalued and exhausted,” Leitch added.
Phillipson remains optimistic, stating that there is “real enthusiasm” among primary schools to expand into nursery provision. The Department for Education also emphasized the importance of the school-based nursery program, calling it a critical step toward meeting the needs of families who are struggling to find appropriate childcare options in some areas due to years of decline in available services.
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