Bolton’s Devonshire Road school set to expand nursery

Devonshire Road Primary School in Heaton is among 42 North West schools set to open or expand school-based nurseries from September.

The plans will create around 700 new childcare places across the region, making it easier for parents to balance work and family life while cutting childcare costs.

Bridget Phillipson, Education Secretary, said: “Our school-based nurseries are already helping fill the gaps in communities where childcare is hardest to find, giving children the strong start they deserve and helping parents access childcare close to home.

“By expanding these nurseries further and targeting them at the areas that need them most, we are making sure more families can benefit from quality early education while putting practical support in place to help with the cost of living.

“For too long, where a child grows up has shaped what they go on to achieve.

“This government was elected to change that – starting with giving every child the best start in life and making sure every family can access the childcare they need, wherever they live.”

The government estimates that eligible working families could save on average £8,000 a year per child through its funded childcare offer.

School-based nurseries are designed to make life easier for families by allowing parents to drop off children of different ages at the same location.

This reduces travel time and helps young children adjust to the school environment.

The next phase of the programme will be led by local authorities, who will use their understanding of community needs to plan and deliver new nursery places where they are most needed.

Families in Bolton, will benefit from the nursery expansion.

The rollout is part of the government’s wider support for families, including 30 hours of funded childcare.

It also includes free breakfast clubs and measures to reduce school uniform costs, together helping families save up to £8,500 a year.

Schools set to benefit have said the programme will make a huge difference for parents and children alike.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:

“As a parent, I know how hard it can be to juggle work and family life, especially in those early days where time is precious and sleep is short.

“School-based nurseries are already driving a seismic shift in how childcare supports families. Now we’re going even further to build on what works with over 300 new nurseries – cutting

 childcare costs, simplifying the school run, and helping parents at a time when household budgets are under real pressure.

“This is about targeting support where it’s needed most, easing the cost of living and giving every child the best start in life.”