A primary school in West Swindon is set to expand its nursery provision after securing funding to create additional early years places for local families.
Lift Hazelwood Primary School will increase its capacity for three-year-olds from September, providing 15 extra nursery places in response to growing demand from parents across the area.
The expansion follows investment from the Department for Education and Lift Schools, which will fund internal remodelling work during the summer holidays.
The school already provides nursery places for both two and three-year-olds and has seen applications rise steadily in recent years. Demand has grown to the point where waiting lists have begun to form, with school leaders citing an increasing reputation within the local community.
As well as creating more places for three-year-olds, the additional space will help improve continuity for children already attending the nursery. School leaders say more two-year-olds will be able to remain at the setting as they progress through the early years, allowing them to benefit from familiar surroundings, staff and routines.
The project is currently out to tender, with work expected to be completed in time for the start of the new academic year in September.
Suzanne Lloyd welcomed the investment and said it would have a positive impact on families across the community.
She said: “We are delighted to have secured this funding, which will allow us to create more nursery places and support even more families in our community.
“This expansion means we can build on the strong relationships we already have with families and ensure that more children can benefit from a settled, high-quality start to their education close to home.”
The expansion forms part of wider efforts to increase access to childcare and early years education, particularly in areas where places can be difficult to secure.
Karl Sampson said the project reflected the need to respond to demand for nursery provision in local communities.
He said: “This investment at Lift Hazelwood is a great example of responding to local need. It will enable Lift Hazelwood to increase nursery capacity and ensure more children can access high-quality early education in a trusted setting, helping to build strong foundations for their learning journey.”
The announcement has also been welcomed by Bridget Phillipson, who said school-based nurseries were helping to address shortages in childcare provision while supporting families with the cost of living.
She said expanding nursery places in areas where they are most needed would help more children access quality early education and provide practical support for working parents.
The additional places are expected to be available from September, offering more families in West Swindon access to nursery provision close to home ahead of the new school year.
