Responding to the government's announcement that a further 331 school-based nurseries will be built of expanded from September, Paul Whiteman, general secretary of school leaders’ union NAHT, said:

“The early years are absolutely vital in laying the foundations for children to thrive at school, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds, and the government’s investment in school-based nurseries is welcome.

“There is already some fantastic work taking placed in school-based nurseries and other early years settings, but funding, as well as recruiting and retaining qualified staff can be a real challenge.

“It’s crucial that support with start-up costs is followed by sustainable long-term funding and a clear focus on addressing long-standing shortages of early years staff.”