Mabe School has opened its brand new nursery class which has been created as a result of a successful bid for funding from the government’s Early Years Capital Fund.

The project has created a 30 place nursery class which is being run from a brand new eco-classroom built on the school field. The nursery class offers teacher-led care for three and four-years-olds and runs as a foundation stage unit (FSU) which sees the children share facilities, equipment and play time with children from the reception year at Mabe School.

Head teacher, Paul Hayes, said: “Mabe School is set in a growing community and we are proud to have achieved a successful bid to allow us to create this vibrant nursery class in order to fulfil the early years demands within our locality.

"This is the first step in an exciting programme of expansion for Mabe School. We are set to increase our school community with new classrooms in September 2018, further enabling us to meet the demands of our expanding community.”

The nursery class sits nestled under the canopy of an oak tree which compliments the emphasis on outdoor learning, exploration of our natural environment and lots of fresh air.

Mr Hayes added: “The success of delivering the nursery on time is thanks to the drive and determination of Laura Drysdale, who put together the original bid first as a school governor and lately as a member of staff. We are very proud to now offer quality, teacher-led nursery education, which will pay dividends to our children throughout their education at Mabe School and beyond.”

The new nursery class will support the delivery of the government’s new 30 hour offer which has seen eligible working families doubling their free entitlement of childcare. This offer runs alongside the existing universal 15 hours of childcare available to all three and four-year-olds. To find out if your family is eligible for 30 hours of funded childcare, visit childcarechoices.gov.uk.

There has already been a great demand for places at Mabe School's new nursery class and families are advised to get in touch as soon as possible in order to secure a place. For more information and to register your child, visit mabe-school.co.uk/nursery-class.