New School-Based Nurseries Coming to Colchester This September!

Pam Cox MP
Apr 1
2 min read

Great news for parents and little ones in Colchester — three local schools are set to open brand-new or expanded nurseries this September, thanks to fresh government funding from the Labour government.

Giving Children the Best Start As part of Labour’s Plan for Change, King's Ford Infant School and Nursery, St James' Church of England Primary School, and St Teresa's Catholic Primary School will be among the first in the country to launch new school-based nurseries. These nurseries will transform existing classrooms into high-quality early years spaces — helping children thrive and get ready for school.

Colorful alphabet blocks spelling "childcare" on a wooden surface, surrounded by coloured pencils, paint, and black trainers.

Saving Families Thousands From September, working parents will be entitled to 30 hours of government-funded childcare per week, starting from when their child is just 9 months old until they begin school. That’s a potential saving of up to £7,500 a year — a huge help with the cost of living.

Filling the Gaps in Childcare These new nursery places are being targeted at areas known as “childcare deserts” — places where families have struggled to find local, affordable childcare. With an average of 20 new places per school, this first wave will create up to 4,000 new nursery spots by September, with more to follow later in the year.

And There’s More: Free Breakfast Clubs Too Alongside the nursery rollout, Labour is also launching free breakfast clubs in 750 primary schools this month — saving families up to £450 a year and making mornings a little easier for everyone.

Pam Cox MP: “This is Real Change for Colchester” Pam Cox, MP for Colchester, shared her excitement:

“I’m thrilled that three Colchester schools are part of this first wave. I know from speaking to local families how important it is to have high-quality childcare that’s nearby and affordable. These new nurseries will make a real difference — helping parents return to work, easing financial pressure, and giving children the best possible start in life.”

Delivering on Promises This is just the beginning of Labour’s pledge to create 3,000 school-based nurseries across the country — part of a wider plan to support families, improve education, and break down barriers to opportunity.