Today Emma was presented with a petition from staff and parents at Bushbury Nursery School, Low Hill Nursery School, and Ashmore Park Nursery School as part of a national campaign for the Government to continue funding for maintained nursery schools. this will be handed in to Parliament in the New Year, to call on the Government to continue funding.

On receiving the petition, Emma said:

“Every maintained nursery school in the country is rated either ‘Good’ or ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted, yet they are facing cuts which put their future at risk. Funding for maintained nurseries has not been confirmed beyond 2020, and some nursery schools face closure without this funding.

“Good early years education gives children the building blocks they need at Primary School, and no other part of the early years sector has the same track record of helping disadvantaged students catch up with their more advantaged peers.
“I’m looking forward to handing this petition in to Parliament in the New Year, along with MPs and nursery school leaders from across the country. I hope the Government listens to parents and teachers and puts the funding of nursery schools on a sustainable footing.”