"We're thrilled": Parents on the first school based nursery in Coventry
Coventry's first school based nursery, The Meadow at Stoke Primary, has officially opened
Parents in Coventry say they are thrilled to see the opening of the first school based nursery in Coventry.
The Meadow, at Stoke Primary, provides free childcare for two year olds in Coventry to support working and non-working families in the area.
This week two-year-olds will gradually be introduced to the space, which will eventually have places for up to 30 children; 15 in the morning and 15 in the afternoon.
Local mum, Sara Kamal, says childcare costs are a constant anxiety and the new nursery will help relieve some of those financial strains: "Everything is so expensive and after childcare costs I often stress about how much money is left for my family.
"Current childcare costs are so unfair on us working mums but with my son securing a place at The Meadow I know he is in a safe and supportive space whilst I am at work."
Other parents say the new nursery will help with their child's communication skills, mum Sheilan Hameed is one of them: "My son is an only child and rarely communicates with other children.
"By securing a place at The Meadow, I think his communications skills are going to expand by interacting with other children."
The Meadow was officially opened by Mary Creagh, MP for Coventry East on Friday.
It is one of 300 school-based nurseries across the country in the first wave of a £37 million investment by the Government.
Mary Creagh MP for Coventry East said: "We know that children benefit from coming to nursery before they start school. The brilliant staff at Stoke Primary have seen it with the children they have helped already.
"This new government funding makes it possible for them to do even more to give children in Coventry the best start in life.”
"This month sees the landmark expansion of 30 hours of funded childcare which is a game-changer for working families in Coventry. It could save parents up to £7,500 a year."
Stoke Primary already had a nursery for three-year olds and they have seen the amazing impact that engaging with education can have, especially for vulnerable children.
Three out of five children who joined the current nursery at age three were assessed as having good progress by the end of their reception year. This is significantly higher than those that did not come to the nursery.
Headteacher Mat Ascroft said: "At Stoke we understand the importance of Early Years learning and the difference it can make to children's life chances.
"Receiving this grant has enabled us to start to provide a quality learning environment for local two-year olds.
"Our brilliant staff are really energised and looking forward to welcoming the children and we can't wait to see how our youngest cohort thrive and grow in our caring, nurturing and ambitious Meadow."