It’s hoped that the location will make pick up and drop off easier for parents

The opening of a new school-based nursery is set to offer families in and around Orton more opportunities to take advantage of accessible and affordable childcare. The new nursery will be based within St John’s Church School at Riseholme. The expectation is that it will open when the new school year starts in September 2026.

Funding for this new nursery has been provided by Best Start in Life, an initiative by central government which aims to support working families and improve access to early education. Across the country, more than 300 schools have been successful in securing a share of £45 million funding to build or expand nurseries on their sites.

Sam Carling, MP for North West Cambridgeshire, welcomed the news. He said: “Access to affordable childcare is one of the biggest challenges many families raise with me locally.

“That’s why it’s really positive to see the Government investing in Orton to expand nursery provision and create more places close to home.”

School-based nurseries are designed to make daily routines easier for families by reducing the need for multiple drop-offs and pick-ups. The hope is that this approach will help parents who may otherwise be struggling to return to – or remain in – work.

Mr Carling agreed that creating additional nursery places close to home should be a more effective way of helping parents manage their busy working lives while also ensuring children enjoy access to high-quality early education from a young age.

“School-based nurseries can make a genuine difference,” he said, “helping parents balance work and family life, simplifying the school run, and ensuring children get a strong start in their early years.”

It is believed more than a million parents are now taking advantage of government-funded childcare support. Alongside new nursery places, eligible families can also benefit from up to 30 hours of funded childcare.

Mr Carling said that, as well as funded childcare hours, central government was aiding families by offering additional support, such as free breakfast clubs and action to reduce the cost of school uniforms.

“Together, these steps are about easing the pressure on household budgets and making sure children growing up here have every opportunity to thrive,” he said.