Source: City of Plymouth
Laira Green Primary School’s plans to create a school-based nursery within their school have received a huge boost thanks to new Government funding.
The school set out its plans in November last year and carried out a consultation. It has now been awarded capital funding from the Department for Education to develop its new nursery, Laira Green Preschool, which will provide teacher-led, play-based care.
In December, the school agreed with the local authority that it would lower its age range to start from two-years-old, so the nursery will support two-, three- and four-year-olds.
The funding will be used to reconfigure areas of the school building to offer a purpose-built environment for younger children to enjoy.
An old conservatory on the school site will be demolished and replaced with a huge canopy to provide indoor-outdoor play spaces, whatever the weather.
Claire Jones, Headteacher at Laira Green Primary School, said: “We are thrilled to receive this grant for our school-based nursery at Laira Green Primary School. This funding will be instrumental in enhancing our early years provision and ensuring that our youngest learners have access to the best possible start in their educational journey.
“The grant will allow us to create a nurturing and stimulating environment that supports the development and growth of all our pupils and is a pivotal step in realising our vision for early childhood education, providing enriched learning experiences and high-quality resources that will benefit both our children and dedicated staff.
“I’m also delighted to say that all families that have already applied for a space will receive the hours they’ve requested and be able to benefit from their full entitlement of funded hours. We do still have some spaces available and welcome any further applications.”
Laira Green Primary School is a local authority-maintained school and the funding application was supported by Plymouth City Council.
Councillor Sally Cresswell, Cabinet Member for Education, Skills and Apprenticeships, said: “School-based nurseries give children access to high-quality early years education and learning, giving them the best possible start in life where they’re supported to achieve and thrive. This helps to develop their school readiness, while also ensuring that parents can take full advantage of their free childcare hours which is vital for families.
“We’re really pleased that Laira Green was successful in its funding application, which will help the school to create a fantastic environment for the new preschool.”
As well as funded sessions enabling parents to take advantage of their free childcare hours, Laira Green Preschool will also offer an additional breakfast club, lunchtime session and afterschool club so parents can benefit from childcare between 7.30am and 6pm if required.
Laira Green Primary School is one of three Plymouth schools to benefit from the school-based nursery funding, with Boringdon Primary School and Plympton St Mary C of E Infant School also successful in their applications.
Anyone who wishes to apply for a place for their child at the new Laira Green Preschool can visit the school office for more information or apply online at https://lairagreen.greenhousecms.co.uk/EYFS/Laira-Green-Preschool/.