Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, in light of plans to invest £41 million in school expansion, what consideration has been given to directing comparable investment into the early years sector.

High quality early years is central to our mission to break down the barriers to opportunity, give every child the best possible start in life, and is essential to our Plan for Change. As the government builds a stronger economy with sustainable public finances, the department is continuing to invest in early years. This financial year alone we expect to provide over £9.5 billion for the early years entitlements. This more than doubles annual public investment in the early years sector compared to 2023/24, as we have successfully rolled-out the expansion of government-funded childcare for working parents.

On top of this, we are boosting availability and access through a £400 million capital investment in the school-based nurseries programme, supporting school-led provision and private, voluntary and independent (PVI) providers and childminders operating from school sites.

The department has already made a real impact, providing £82 million of capital funding to over 600 primary and maintained nursery schools across phases 1 and 2. Phase 3 is backed by up to £325 million of additional funding and invites local authorities to develop multi-year funding proposals that outline plans for new, or expanded, school-based nurseries in their area.

PVIs and childminders can partner with schools and local authorities in phase 3 to help deliver flexible nursery provision from school or Best Start Family Hub sites, building on the 52 funded partnerships from phases 1 and 2.