Worksop: Primary school will take on toddlers as part of national project to combat child care crisis

Around 50 schools will be taking part in the project nationally but only two, including Sir Edmund Hillary’s, are participating in Notts.

The idea is to provide children with a traditional nursery education led by qualified teachers in a ‘school-based setting and is the latest attempt by the Government to tackle the UK child care crisis.

Ministers believe the scheme will help provide tens of thousands more child care places across the country.

Simon Tollervey, Head Teacher at Sir Edmund Hillary, said: “To facilitate the project, Notts county council funded the total refurbishment of our old nursery building to cater for this age group.”

“It is securely located within the curtilage of the school and directly linked to the Foundation Unit.”

“There is free flow between both and so ample opportunity for mixed age or discreet activities.”

Only schools with a ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’ Ofsted rating may participate and each school included in the scheme will receive a grant of £10,000.

The project must also be supported by the Local Authority and overseen by suitably qualified staff.

Club Ed, as the project is called, operates five days a week and has been open to 2 year olds plus since the start of this term.

“Currently over forty children are registered and taking advantage of the scheme to suit their individual needs,” added Mr Tollervey.

“The School has a close working relationship with the local Childrens Centre.”

“This scheme will greatly enhance our ability to work with them on planned intervention strategies in an educational setting with parents and their children alike.”