Nursery World - Early Years in School: 30 Hours Free Entitlement

As the 30-hour offer nears full roll-out, Karen Faux finds out how schools are planning to cope

In many ways, schools are in a strong position to provide the 30 hours’ free entitlement to nursery education, due to roll out nationally in September this year. Nursery provision linked to a school typically provides high-quality early education and can ensure continuity across the crucial transition to Reception. The expanded offer also provides a fantastic opportunity for primaries to raise outcomes for children through early interventions, boost league table results and benefit local communities.

But the move to expand early years has come at possibly one of the worst times for schools. With continued pressure on capacity and funding – particularly in light of the new school funding formula proposals – many are struggling to fund their existing nursery provision and say they are subsidising it from the rest of the school budget in a way that is unsustainable.

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