Full Breakdown
Expansion of School-Based Nurseries in England: Current Landscape and Challenges
3/24/2026, 4:17:23 AM
Overview of the Expansion Initiative
The Department for Education (DfE) in England has reported that an additional 331 schools have committed to opening or expanding their school-based nurseries, contributing to a total of 12,000 new childcare places created through this initiative. This expansion is part of a broader strategy to meet the anticipated demand for childcare services, which is expected to require an additional 35,000 staff and 70,000 places by September 2025, coinciding with the full rollout of funded hours for early years education.
Current Statistics and Distribution Challenges
Between 2023 and 2024, the number of childcare places increased by 44,400. However, the education regulator Ofsted has highlighted significant disparities in the distribution of these places across the country. The DfE plans to transition the school-based nurseries program to a locally led model starting in May, where local councils will take the lead in determining where to expand nursery services.
Decline in Childminders and Impact on Access
The number of childminders, who provide early years care in private homes, has seen a decline. This reduction raises concerns about access to childcare, particularly in "childcare deserts," areas characterized by lower household incomes and higher levels of deprivation. Early years charities have expressed alarm over a decrease in the percentage of two-year-olds from disadvantaged backgrounds receiving funded hours, dropping from 75% in 2024 to 65% in 2025. The DfE has indicated that some families may have been inaccurately recorded in the statistics, suggesting that these figures should be interpreted with caution.
Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Concerns
A survey conducted by the charity Coram has revealed that many local authorities are struggling to provide sufficient childcare for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). The charity defines "sufficient childcare" as having enough places for at least 75% of children in a given area. While three-quarters of local authorities reported having adequate childcare for at least 75% of children under two eligible for the 30-hour entitlement, only 44% reported sufficient childcare for early years children with SEND, and this figure drops to 23% for school-aged children with SEND.
Criticism and Opposition
Critics, including early years charities, have raised concerns about the effectiveness of the current expansion efforts, particularly regarding the accessibility of services for disadvantaged groups and children with SEND. They argue that the uneven distribution of childcare places exacerbates existing inequalities and that the transition to a locally led model may not adequately address these issues.
Official Statements
The DfE has acknowledged the challenges in the childcare sector, emphasizing the need for accurate data and local planning to ensure that all children, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds and with SEND, have access to necessary services.
Conclusion
The expansion of school-based nurseries in England represents a significant effort to address childcare shortages, yet challenges remain, particularly in ensuring equitable access for all children. The upcoming shift to a locally led model may provide opportunities for better alignment with community needs, but it will require careful implementation to overcome existing disparities.
