Government announces three new school nurseries in Pendle and Ribble Valley to help cut childcare costs in poorest areas
Families across Pendle and Clitheroe are set to benefit from a major expansion of school-based nurseries, as part of a nationwide push to ease the cost of living and improve access to childcare.
The government has confirmed that 18 schools across Lancashire will receive a share of £45 million in funding to build or expand nursery provision from September. Among those selected are Blacko Primary School, Colne Lord Street School, and Ribblesdale Nursery School – all serving communities in Pendle and Clitheroe.
The move is expected to create thousands of new childcare places nationally, with more than 6,000 additional places being delivered in this next phase alone. Locally, the expansion is being welcomed as a significant step toward helping working families balance jobs and childcare responsibilities.
Parents using the full funded childcare entitlement could save an average of £8,000 a year, with school-based nurseries also helping to simplify daily routines by reducing the need for multiple drop-offs.
Across East Lancashire, schools confirmed to benefit include:
Blacko Primary School, Colne Lord Street School, and Ribblesdale Nursery School.
New figures show that more than one million parents are already using the government’s funded childcare offer. However, lower take-up in more deprived areas has prompted a shift in focus, with officials now targeting communities where access remains limited.
In areas like Pendle, where some neighbourhoods face higher levels of deprivation, school-based nurseries already play a key role, accounting for around 35% of childcare provision in the most disadvantaged communities.
Further changes are planned from May, when the programme will move to a more locally led approach. Councils will be invited to identify where new nursery places are most needed, while new “Best Start Family Hubs” will bring together childcare, health services and family support under one roof.
Additional funding is also being piloted to support children from lower-income families. In selected areas, early years providers will receive an extra £363 per child through the Early Years Pupil Premium, aimed at improving educational outcomes and development.
The nursery expansion forms part of a wider package of cost-of-living support, including free breakfast clubs and measures to reduce school uniform costs.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the changes would make a real difference for families juggling work and childcare.
“As a parent, I know how hard it can be to juggle work and family life,” he said. “This is about targeting support where it’s needed most, easing the cost of living and giving every child the best start in life.”
For families in Pendle and Clitheroe, the investment is expected to increase access to affordable childcare while strengthening early years education across the area.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said: “Our school-based nurseries are already helping fill the gaps in communities where childcare is hardest to find, giving children the strong start they deserve and helping parents access childcare close to home.
“By expanding these nurseries further and targeting them at the areas that need them most, we are making sure more families can benefit from quality early education while putting practical support in place to help with the cost of living.