Local need trigger for Salisbury school opening nursery in September
St Martins C of E school is one of 300 schools across the country opening a school-based nursery later this year
A Wiltshire school offering nursery places from September says local need is growing as child care providers are closing.
St Martins C of E Primary school in Salisbury is part of a Government scheme to improve access to child care.
The scheme will see 300 school-based nurseries opened later this year as it bids to help parents get back to work as well as ensure our children are ready to learn.
Executive headteacher at St Martins, Ollie Martindale, told Greatest Hits Radio that the local need has grown dramatically in recent years.
He said: "In Wiltshire between 2022 and 2024, ten group settings have closed and in that same time period we know that 38 childminders ceased operations, so I think everybody knows anecdotally from friends and family that quality childcare provision is a problem."
Mr Martindale told us the school was delighted to be part of the first phase of schools involved in the new initiative.
In order to cater for the extra children on site, the school will need to "adjust and adapt" its current facilities.
"We've got lots of breakout learning areas and offices that can be combined by knocking down walls and moving them.
"Ultimately we'll establish in the existing space A room for two to three-year olds, a room for three to four year olds and then a reception class," Mr Martindale said.
He told us the first consideration when submitting the application to the Government was ensure there was provision for parents of children already at the school as well those who live locally.
But Mr Martindale said it goes beyond that.
"We could see real benefits in terms of the transition between nursery and school. Ideally we want children to start here at 2 years old and work their way all the way through the school up to year 6," he said, adding that it means he and his staff are able to get children 'school ready'.
He explained: "We are in a position to help them get school ready, in terms of some of the basics, like using cutlery, sitting for a meal and listening. But then in terms of the curriculum and the learning there's massive benefits to having the same children go all the way through the school."
The nursery classes will see a teacher overseeing or directing the provision, ensuring key skills such as early writing, phonics and maths are being developed in the pre-school setting ahead of joining the main school.
Mr Martindale said it's a huge opportunity to give children a head start on what is to come in school life, as well as giving parents the peace of mind that their children are in a trusted environment.