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More nurseries in schools: A big boost for early years

03 April 2025

Ark John Keats Academy is one of 300 schools set to benefit from the government’s school-based nursery programme.

Ark Start is delighted that one of Ark’s schools – Ark John Keats Academy in Enfield, North London – is set to be one of 300 schools benefitting from the government’s school-based nursery programme.

Ark John Keats Academy currently offers an all-through education for local children aged 3-18 and is graded Good in all areas by Ofsted. 

This welcome investment for John Keats means that from September we will be able to extend our provision and offer more places for children from 9 months – enabling us to deliver quality early years education to those who will most benefit. 

The nursery will also be able to give parents more options including wrap around care and attendance during the school holidays. 

John Keats is one of 300 schools from right across England which have been given a share of £37m of funding from the Department for Education (DfE) to expand or repurpose their buildings to turn them into nurseries. 

The nurseries will offer around 20 places per site and as many as 6,000 new places in total – with up to 4,000 set to be available by the end of September.

The John Keats nursery will offer around 80 FTE places in the autumn term. 

A ‘revolution’ in early years education

Commenting on today’s announcement, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson MP said:

“It’s the start of a revolution in early years education. More places, higher quality, lower costs for parents. It’s at the heart of my vision for our education system: to give every child, particularly the most disadvantaged, the best start in life.” 

This is an aspiration that is right at the heart of Ark Start’s work – and indeed, is why Ark Start was founded and launched our first school-based nursery back in 2020. 

We now have five schools-based nurseries across London, located near Elephant and Castle, Clapham Junction, East Croydon, Holland Park and Ladbroke Grove, where we offer flexible and affordable daycare in a stimulating and nurturing environment. 

We know that it’s vital that as many families as possible have access to high quality early education that also meets families’ childcare needs. 

And we also know that in areas where family incomes are low there generally fewer flexible and affordable childcare options. We also know that having early years provision embedded within a primary school helps children settle into learning in a familiar and trusted environment. 

Our nurseries are founded by passionate, qualified teachers, and we are committed to providing excellent early years education that helps every child grow, thrive, and prepare for school. 

Our team works together to ensure that our children have a joyful, engaging and secure nursery experience, so that they are ready to start school happily and confidently.