Altham St James Primary School in Hyndburn to improve its early years provision
It was one of 17 Lancashire schools to share £45million in cash from the government’s Best Start programme announced last month.
Details have been given on how Altham St James Church of England Primary School in Hyndburn will spend a government grant to improve its early years provision.
It was one of 17 Lancashire schools to share £45million in cash from the government’s Best Start programme announced last month.
Headteacher Carol Woods said the money would be used for a purpose-built 15‑place nursery for three‑ and four‑year‑olds opening in October.
The nationwide grants from the Department for Education and Skills will create thousands of new nursery places across the country to make childcare more accessible and affordable for working families while helping children start school ready to learn.
They aims to save parents an average of £8,000 a year.
The new nursery at Altham St James in Burnley Road will provide families with high-quality early education closer to home, reducing the need for multiple drop offs and making daily routines easier.
Mrs Woods said: “We are absolutely delighted that our bid to open a 15‑place nursery for three‑ and four‑year‑olds has been successful.
“This is a very exciting development for our school and for families in our community.
“Our new, purpose‑built nursery will sit at the heart of our EYFS unit and reflects our strong commitment to being a family school, where children are welcomed, nurtured and supported from the very beginning of their learning journey.
“Having nursery and school provision all on one site will bring real benefits for families, allowing siblings to stay together and enabling parents to make use of our established wraparound care.
“This continuity will help children to settle, build strong relationships and transition smoothly through school.
“The nursery is due to be completed by October half term 2026, and we would warmly encourage families who are interested to get in touch with the school for more information.”
Hyndburn MP Sarah Smith, MP said: “This is fantastic news for families in our area and something I have been working hard to deliver.
“Parents have been clear with me about the pressures they face with childcare costs, and the impact that has on their working lives and family finances.
“For too long, children growing up in places like Altham have not always had the same opportunities as those in other parts of the country.
“This investment helps put that right, ensuring that children here are starting to get the same opportunities as those down south.”