Guidance

Establishing school-based nursery provision

Non-statutory guidance for schools, responsible bodies and childcare providers looking to open or expand school-based nursery provision.

Applies to England

Documents

Details

This guidance outlines key considerations and requirements that schools should consider if they want to open or expand a nursery on their site.

Updates to this page

Published 17 October 2024
Last updated 2 April 2025 show all updates
  1. We have updated the guidance, 'Establishing school-based nursery provision'. This reflects the updated requirements that maintained schools must meet when making a significant change (prescribed alterations).

  2. Updated the information in 'Establishing school-based nursery provision' about prescribed alterations, reflecting the new regulations that amend the process schools need to follow to add a nursery to their provision.

  3. Updated 'Establishing school-based nursery provision' to clarify that if school-based provision is exempt from registering with Ofsted or a childminding agency, it must still comply with the compulsory requirements of the childcare register.

  4. Updated to include chapter summary for 鈥榟igh-quality learning environments鈥� and to clarify that schools may need the Secretary of State鈥檚 consent before a lease is granted to a private, voluntary or independent (PVI) provider or childminder.

  5. First published.

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