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Nursery school heads seek 'levelling-up' role as funding crisis worsens

With the pandemic having a disastrous impact on the funding of nursery schools, head teachers speak out about the urgent need for Government to find a solution. Disadvantaged families and children with SEND stand to lose most. By Catherine Gaunt
Three more nursery schools are set to close this summer PHOTO Adobe Stock
Three more nursery schools are set to close this summer PHOTO Adobe Stock

While maintained nursery schools have faced funding pressures for many years, the impact of the pandemic has heaped even more pressure on their ability to survive.

Three more nursery schools are set to close this summer, leaving just 385 nursery schools open in England.

The three that closed at the end of the summer term, or will close at the end of August, are Hetton-le-Hole Nursery School in Sunderland, St Mary’s Community Nursery School in Chester, and Harry Roberts Nursery School in Tower Hamlets, east London. All three local authorities are receiving below-average supplementary funding for their nursery schools, according to Early Education.

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