Story perspectives

Nursery Expansion Adds 12,000 Places, Faces Access Challenges

3/23/2026

Summary

Story summary

331 schools joined a nursery expansion scheme, bringing places to 12,000.
Department for Education (DfE) expects 35,000 staff and 70,000 places by 2025.
Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills (Ofsted) warns access is uneven.
DfE will shift to a locally led nursery expansion model starting in May.
Disadvantaged two-year-olds’ funded hours fell from 75% to 65%, and less than half of local authorities report SEND childcare sufficiency.

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Story summary

331 schools joined a nursery expansion scheme, bringing places to 12,000.
Department for Education (DfE) expects 35,000 staff and 70,000 places by 2025.
Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills (Ofsted) warns access is uneven.
DfE will shift to a locally led nursery expansion model starting in May.
Disadvantaged two-year-olds’ funded hours fell from 75% to 65%, and less than half of local authorities report SEND childcare sufficiency.