Springbank Academy in Eastwood has officially opened its new nursery provision for two-year-olds, the Seedlings Room, providing local families with greater childcare options and supporting working parents.
This expansion is part of the first phase of this Labour Government’s Best Start school-based nursery rollout, which funded 300 schools to create or expand nursery places.
This initiative aims to ease the pressures of the school run, helping parents stay in work, earn more, and contribute to economic growth—a key priority in Labour’s Plan for Change.
Speaking at the unveiling of the new nursery on Friday 14 November, Broxtowe MP Juliet Campbell said: “This new room will nurture the next generation of children in Eastwood, bringing learning to life from an earlier age.
“Your commitment, passion, and hard work have made today possible, and I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to each and every one of you. What you have achieved here reflects the very best of Eastwood, and the very best of our community, and it is work like this that makes me so proud to represent Broxtowe.
“This Government is on a mission to give every child the best start in life, but our main partners in achieving that aren’t down in Westminster, you are here today. It is the incredible work of schools, teachers and parents that will enable us to achieve this goal.”
Adam Lumley, Headteacher of Springbank Academy, said: “I was utterly shocked to discover that after the closure of a private nursery near our school several years ago there was a drastic lack of childcare options available in Saint Mary’s ward in Eastwood. Just one solitary source of childcare was being run from a private house for the whole of Eastwood and absolutely none in Saint Mary’s ward. This situation left me feeling desperate to support our families and to respond to the growing demand for childcare.
“Thankfully fortune smiled on us and we were able to secure childcare expansion funding, this allowed us to create our fabulous Seedling’s nursery.
“Not only has this initiative helped our families immensely but it has also infused a delightful spark into our school, honestly it fills my heart with warmth every time I step into Seedlings.
“I would like to extend a massive thank you to our remarkable team Emma and Hannah who under the inspiring leadership Chloe Underwood have devoted their hearts and souls to ensure we open our doors come September with outstanding provision for our wonderful two to three-year olds. It’s fantastic now but just watch how it will bloom and flourish over time.”
In addition to the roll out of school-based nurseries, the Labour government has delivered 30 hours of free childcare from age nine months to reception year this September. Labour is also investing heavily in early years, increasing early years funding to £9 billion next year, ensuring every child gets the best start in life.
Alongside the Best Start rollout, Labour is introducing free breakfast clubs, saving parents up to £450 a year, capping branded school uniform costs, and investing £1.4 billion to repair classrooms—building a better future for working families in Broxtowe.