A school in Heywood has opened a new nursery with £130,000 of government funding, as part of a wider Labour drive to expand childcare and help parents return to work.
Families in Heywood, Middleton and across the borough are set to benefit from expanded access to childcare after St Luke’s Primary CE School unveiled its new on-site nursery, backed by over £130,000 in government funding.
The new facility was formally visited by Elsie Blundell MP, who welcomed the investment as part of Labour’s broader childcare expansion, which includes 30 hours of free childcare and support for over 300 new school-based nurseries nationwide.
Speaking after her visit, the Heywood and Middleton North MP said:
“The new facilities at St Luke’s are fantastic. You can see the positive impact on the children’s faces. Thirty hours of free childcare and nurseries in schools that parents already know and trust is a huge boost for families.”
She added that Labour’s childcare offer is “a commitment to save families money and help them get to work”, with additional support such as free breakfast clubs potentially saving parents a further £450 a year. In total, families could save up to £7,950 annually under the new model.
Elsie Blundell, who is also a new mum, said her experience listening to parents at the school gate helped shape her view of the pressures families face.
“Balancing work and childcare can be a challenge. That’s why I’m so pleased Labour is putting practical solutions in place to support families and help them live their best lives.”
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson also praised the school-based nursery approach, describing it as a “nurturing and stable environment” that eases transitions into primary education while offering parents more convenience.
“Through our Plan for Change, we are determined to give more children the best start in life,” she said. “Delivering more of these nurseries under our Best Start umbrella means more choice and support for families, especially in areas where childcare is harder to find.”
Across England, more than 4,000 new school-based nursery places will be available from this September, thanks to an initial £37 million of investment. A further £45 million has been set aside to fund another 300 nurseries by 2026, creating around 7,000 more places.
St Luke’s in Heywood is one of many schools now eligible to apply for up to £150,000 to build or expand nursery provision on-site, making childcare more accessible in communities that need it most.
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