In response to the Government’s announcement today of a £24 million boost to see nurseries through to the end of the 2019/20 academic year, from the cliff edge of the current funding ending in March 2020, Daniel Zeichner MP has called for “long term commitments to support children and families“.

The Government’s current supplementary funding for maintained nursery schools is due to end in March 2020, and when the Cambridge MP has previously asked about future funding, the Early Years Education Minister stated that nurseries should wait for the Spending Review – which is widely expected to take place this Autumn. The Minister has announced funding for nurseries for one more term  – to see them through to the end of the 2019/20 academic year, following sustained pressure from MPs such as Mr Zeichner.

The Cambridge MP comments: 

“Of course I am pleased that the Minister has announced more funding for nurseries – but I am concerned that this just delays the cliff edge of funding for our much loved maintained nursery schools such as The Fields, The Colleges, Brunswick and Homerton in the city. We now need a firm commitment to our nurseries‘ future sustainability, and a long-term funding solution that allows stability for the children and families that our nursery schools serve“.

“Without this extra funding, I’ve been told that it is likely that nursery schools will have to think very seriously about their futures and whether they can stay in operation. It’s crucial that the Government put their money where their mouth is, and properly fund the nurseries that so many families rely on.“