Huge demand for new nursery places at Darlington school
Corporation Road Community Primary School is one of four Darlington schools in the first wave of Labour’s plans for additional school-based nurseries.
The other schools included in the national scheme are St Mary’s Cockerton CE Primary, High Coniscliffe CE Primary, and St Augustine’s Primary.
The plan focuses on the North and Midlands, allocating places where they’re most needed.
Darlington MP Lola McEvoy visited Corporation Road Community Primary School last Friday to learn about the demand.
Headteacher Mark Dipple informed her that the funding allows them to offer nursery places for two-year-olds for the first time.
He said: “Our school has children from 29 different nationalities.
“This support means that some who don’t have English as a first language can start earlier and benefit from the wraparound care this funding allows.”
The demand has been so high that most of the new places have already been filled.
Nick Blackburn, CEO of Lingfield Education Trust, which runs Corporation Road Primary, said: “Being able to strengthen our local offer for families is brilliant.
“Corporation Road Primary has an outstanding early years provision currently, as judged by Ofsted.
“Our families in this wonderful community can expect that same very high-quality provision.”
The new school-based nurseries are expected to create 6,000 new childcare places, many of which will be available by September.
Darlington MP Ms McEvoy said: “Parents’ worries about childcare come up on the doorstep in Darlington all the time – families deserve high-quality education that is available nearby and doesn’t break the bank.
“These new places are evidence that Labour’s Plan for Change is working – we’re delivering support for families and ensuring children are ready for school from day one.”
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The Government said having early years provision within a primary school helps children settle into learning in a familiar and trusted environment, as well as ensuring a smoother transition into Reception.
The announcement of the new school-based nurseries coincides with the rollout of breakfast clubs in primary schools, with the first 750 schools set to launch later this month.
According to the Government, this will save families up to £450 a year.
