Today, Penbridge Infant School in Fratton officially launched Little Thinkers Nursery, an expanded nursery to benefit local families funded by the Government’s Schools Based Nurseries Programme, backed by Stephen Morgan MP.
This expanded nursery provision, which was confirmed last year, will see Penbridge Infant School offering more early years education and childcare for children aged 9 months – 2 years, overseen and supported by the national education charity Little Thinkers.
The funding from Government has allowed for the conversion of empty classrooms into bright and engaging spaces for babies and toddlers and allowing more spaces at the nursery for local families.
Whilst cutting the ribbon at the official launch, Mr Morgan was able to see firsthand how Government funding he secured when Early Education Minister, has supported the development of new facilities and discuss the impact that expanded provision will have on local families and children.
By increasing the local availability of nursery places, Little Thinkers Nursery is set to provide:
- Up to £7,500 back in parents’ pockets
- More work choices for parents
- More life chances for children
Penbridge Infant School is just one of the many schools supported by the School Based Nurseries programme, which is investing in the creation or expansion of 3,000 nurseries across England and has already allocated over £80 million across Phase One and Phase Two.
Following an official bid to receive capital funding to repurpose spare internal space, which was encouraged and endorsed by Mr Morgan, Penbridge Infant School was chosen to be part of the initial wave of 300 schools supported by the programme, which is estimated to create up to 6,000 new nursery places overall and an average of 20 per site.
Commenting, Stephen Morgan, MP for Portsmouth South, said:
“The expansion of Penbridge Infant School’s nursery with the new Little Thinkers Nursery is a major milestone for local families and their children, made possible by funding from the School Based Nursery programme.
“Whilst being shown the bright new spaces for the nursery’s expansion, I was able to see firsthand how the Government investment will make a difference to children’s lives here in Portsmouth.
“By improving the availability of nursery places, the Government is providing parents with more money in their pocket and more choices when it comes to work whilst also providing children with more expert learning at a vital age for their development.
“This is just one part of the progress that is being delivered by the programme, which is backing Portsmouth parents like never before and ensuring every child in this city gets the best start in life”.
To find out more about Little Thinkers Nursery at Penbridge Infant School, click here.
