Research suggests that the UK government’s policy to create 100,000 new nursery places using spare capacity in English primary schools is unlikely to succeed. The study highlights a mismatch between the geographical locations of available space and areas with high demand. Additionally, concerns have been raised about staffing, inadequate facilities for young children (such as large toilets and high sinks), and the lack of appropriate sleep areas. The government has allocated up to £150,000 in funding for the first round, aiming to support up to 300 new or expanded nurseries, with a final target of 3,000. The success of this initiative is crucial to fulfilling the government’s promise of 30 hours of free childcare for eligible parents by next September.
