Locking Primary School, located near Weston-super-Mare, has secured a £150,000 government grant to expand its nursery facilities. This funding will increase the nursery’s capacity by 50%, catering to children aged two to three years old.
Dan Aldridge, the Conservative MP for Weston-super-Mare, championed the funding effort. Speaking about the investment, Aldridge said, “I’ve visited Locking Primary School and seen their promising plans to expand the nursery provision for children over two years old. Many parents in Weston have faced challenges accessing childcare that would enable them to return to work. This £150,000 grant will help address that issue.”
He added, “This increase in capacity will ease waiting lists and make a tangible difference for families in our town. Providing high-quality early years education is crucial to ensuring every child has the best start in life, and this funding supports that goal.”
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Locking Primary School is the first in North Somerset to benefit from the government’s School-Based Nurseries Capital Grant, which has awarded £45 million to 331 schools nationwide. The initiative aims to create over 6,000 nursery places, facilitating improved access to early education, particularly in disadvantaged areas.
The government emphasizes that school-based nurseries aid parents in balancing work and family life, enhance educational access, and smooth children’s transition into primary school.
Locking is a small village south of Weston-super-Mare, historically known for the now-closed RAF Locking. Locking Primary School remains the village’s sole school and earned a ‘Good’ rating from Ofsted in its latest inspection.