MP highlights key role of nurseries in success of childcare policy

A children’s nursery followed its recent successful inspection by Ofsted by opening its doors to welcome another education and childcare specialist in Graham Stuart, the MP for Beverley and Holderness.

A former Chair of the House of Commons Education Select Committee, Mr Stuart studied the facilities at Educare Nursery and focused in particular on fairer funding – a policy close to his heart and one which he noted is continuing.

He said: “I am delighted that the Secretary of State for Children and Families recently announced funding that will enable East Riding of Yorkshire Council to fully-fund maintained nursery schools for the whole of 2019–20.

“I have long supported improvements to private and state-funded nursery provision in Beverley and Holderness. Attendance at a nursery can translate into enormous educational advantages for children in later life, so I will continue to do all I can to support local nurseries in providing high quality childcare for all local children.”

Educare in Mill Lane, Beverley, recently completed a £150,000 investment programme with the opening of a first-floor extension which has made room for a new library and sensory area and created six jobs.

As a result, the overall capacity of Educare which is in its 20th year, has increased by 20 to 110 child places plus 40 in the out-of-school club.

Within weeks of unveiling the new facility, Educare found itself under the Ofsted microscope and was able to update Mr Stuart with the news that the nursery had received the seal of approval.

Mr Stuart, who in 2016 set up the Save East Riding Childcare Campaign to secure a fairer funding settlement for local nurseries, said businesses such as Educare are key to the success of the government’s policy of 30 hours of free childcare for three and four-year-olds.

He said: “Educare is clearly flourishing and is of great value to local families; not only in terms of the increased support for SEN children, but the greater capacity caters for the increase of children resulting from the free childcare policy.

“That policy relies on the cooperation of nurseries so it is great to see that Educare has been proactive in making changes that will ensure more children enjoy the benefits of high-quality early education and more parents are relieved of the heavy financial burden of childcare.

“It is important that nurseries and local and national government work together to support a rich ecosystem of learning for pre-primary-aged children. Educare’s response to the free childcare policy is something that I hope will inspire independent nurseries across my constituency.”

David Whincup, owner of Educare, said: “We were very pleased that Ofsted recognised that all areas and activities of the nursery are good and we know the latest investment will enable us to make further improvements to our facilities and services to benefit children and their families.

“It was a very good visit, as we expected from someone with such a strong interest in childcare. It was also Graham’s first visit to Educare and he showed a lot of interest, studying the improved and expanded facilities, spending time with the children and recognising the importance of the free childcare provision and seeing for himself that it has made a difference. Demand is increasing and I would expect us to be full for September.”