We are delighted to share that three schools have successfully secured government funding to expand early years provision, strengthening access to high-quality nursery places for children and families in their communities.

The successful schools, Unity Primary Academy in Colchester, Sir Martin Frobisher Academy in Jaywick, and Green Park Village Primary Academy, are benefitting from the government’s wider programme to expand school-based nursery provision across England, increasing access to early education in trusted, local settings.

Together, these projects will create significant new nursery places for children aged 2-4, ensuring more families can access high-quality provision.

At Unity Primary Academy, the expansion will introduce a new 20-place provision for 2–3-year-olds, alongside 8 additional places for 3–4-year-olds, supported by improvements to both indoor and outdoor learning environments.

At Sir Martin Frobisher Academy, a disused modular building will be transformed into a brand-new 41-place nursery, including a forest school area to enrich outdoor learning and development.

At Green Park Village Primary Academy, funding will support the creation of 26 nursery places, strengthening early years provision within the local community.

These developments form part of a national effort to increase access to high-quality early education and ensure more children are well prepared as they begin school.

Cathie Paine, CEO of REAch2, said:

“We are delighted to see investment across three of our schools to expand early years provision. This is about more than creating additional places; it is about ensuring that more children can access high-quality early education at the point it matters most.

We know that the earliest years shape so much of what comes next. By extending provision within our schools, we are creating environments where children feel safe, known and able to flourish from the very beginning.

This also reflects our commitment to the communities we serve. We are proud to be able to offer more families access to strong, school-based provision that gives children the very best start and supports them to begin their school journey with confidence.”

Pieter Labuschagne, Headteacher at Unity Primary Academy, said:

“This is a really positive development for our community. Expanding our nursery provision means we can support more local families at an earlier stage and strengthen those important connections between home and school.

By welcoming children sooner, we can build strong foundations, identify needs earlier and give every child the very best start to their learning journey.”

Simon Wood, Executive Headteacher at Sir Martin Frobisher Academy, said:

“This is a significant moment for our school and our community. It allows us to support children and families from the very start of their education, building strong foundations that will stay with them as they move through school and beyond.”

Gemma Jackson, Headteacher at Green Park Village Primary Academy, said:

“We are absolutely delighted to have secured this funding. Expanding our nursery provision means we can welcome more children into our school community at an earlier stage and build those important foundations from the very beginning.

Early years are such a vital time in a child’s development. By increasing our provision, we are creating more opportunities for children to grow in confidence, develop a love of learning and feel a real sense of belonging.

This is a wonderful opportunity for our school and the families we serve, and we are excited to see the difference it will make for our community.”

Through initiatives like this, REAch2 continues to work alongside national priorities while remaining focused on what matters most: ensuring every child, in every community, has the opportunity to thrive.