I rise to present petitions on behalf of nursery schools across England, and will be joined by many colleagues. I thank them and nurseries across the country for their campaigning work.
Petitions presented today are on behalf of thousands of parents, teachers, governors and local people who value and use these maintained nursery schools. The petitioners raise concerns about the future viability of maintained nursery schools. One third of their funding is due to end next April—that is the next academic year. Without continued supplementary funding or a long-term solution to sustainable funding, many nurseries could close, and many are already taking staffing and place decisions for next year.
These nurseries are the jewel in the crown of our education system, boosting social mobility and eliminating the development gap between poorer pupils and their peers’ pre-school. Some 98% are outstanding or good and two thirds are in the most deprived areas of the country. Warm words are not enough from Ministers; we now need action.
The first petition states:
“The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons to urge the Government to take action to ensure nursery schools are financially sustainable for the future.”
Following is the full text of the petition:
[The petition of the parents, carers, staff and governors of Triangle, maintained nursery school in Lambeth,
Declares that we are concerned about the future of maintained nursery schools in England after March 2020 as no guarantee has been given by the Government that adequate funding will continue when supplementary funding ends.
The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons to urge the Government to take action to ensure nursery schools are financially sustainable for the future.
And the petitioners remain, etc.]
[P002370]
The other petitions are:
The petition of the parents, carers, staff and governors of Walton Lane maintained nursery school in Nelson, Lancashire.
[P002371]
The petition of the parents, carers, staff and governors of College Green Nursery School, maintained nursery school in Brent.
[P002372]
The petition of the parents, carers, staff and governors of Bognor Regis maintained nursery school in West Sussex.
[P002373]
The petition of the parents, carers, staff and governors of Oxclose Community Nursery School a maintained nursery school in Washington, Sunderland.
[P002374]
The petition of the parents, carers, staff and governors of Kingswood maintained nursery school in Watford, Hertfordshire.
[P002375]
The petition of the parents, carers, staff and governors of Maidenhead Nursery School in Windsor and Maidenhead.
[P002376]
The petition of the parents, carers, staff and governors of Kenilworth Nursery School in Kenilworth.
[P002377]
The petition of the parents, carers, staff and governors of Maytree maintained nursery school in Lambeth.
[P002378]
The petition of the parents, carers, staff and governors of Holmewood maintained nursery school in Lambeth.
[P002379]
The petition of the parents, carers, staff and governors of The Lawns maintained nursery school in Windsor.
[P002380]
The petition of the parents, carers, staff and governors of Hedon Nursery School in East Riding of Yorkshire.
[P002381]
The petition of the parents, carers, staff and governors of Grosvenor maintained nursery school in Bolton.
[P002382]
The petition of the parents, carers, staff and governors of Usworth Colliery maintained nursery school in Washington Tyne and Wear.
[P002383]
The petition of the parents, carers, staff and governors of Beverley Manor Nursery school in East Riding of Yorkshire.
[P002384]
The petition of the parents, carers, staff and governors of Northfleet Nursery in Gravesend.
[P002385]
The petition of the parents, carers, staff and governors of West Heath Nursery in Birmingham.
[P002386]
The petition of the parents, carers, staff and governors of Wyndham Park maintained nursery school in Grantham.
[P002387]
The petition of the parents, carers, staff and governors of Hollywood Park maintained nursery school in Stockport.
[P002388]
The petition of the parents, carers, staff and governors of Lanterns, maintained nursery school in Winchester, Hampshire.
[P002389]
The petition of the parents, carers, staff and governors of Cookham, maintained nursery school in Cookham.
[P002390]
The petition of the parents, carers, staff and governors of Douglas Valley Nursery School, maintained nursery school in Wigan.
[P002391]
The petition of the parents, carers, staff and governors of Chichester, maintained nursery school in West Sussex.
[P002392]
The petition of the parents, carers, staff and governors of Pennywell Early Years Centre, maintained nursery school in Sunderland.
[P002393]
The petition of the parents, carers, staff and governors of Hylton Red House Nursery School, maintained nursery school in Sunderland.
[P002394]
The petition of the parents, carers, staff and governors of Filton Avenue, maintained nursery school in Bristol.
[P002395]