New early years places to meet growing Swindon demand

Lift Hazelwood in Swindon is set to increase its nursery provision, creating an additional 15 places for three-year-olds from September.

The expansion follows significant investment from the Department for Education and Lift Schools to support internal remodelling over the summer and create additional nursery space ahead of the new academic year.

The primary school in West Swindon already offers nursery places for two and three-year-olds and has seen steadily increasing demand in recent years, with waiting lists now forming as its reputation continues to grow within the local community.

The expansion will allow more three-year-olds to attend the school, while also strengthening continuity for younger children already in nursery. More two-year-olds will be able to remain as they move through the early years, benefiting from familiar staff, routines and relationships.

The school is currently out to tender for the work, with the aim of completing improvements before September.

Suzanne Lloyd, Principal of Lift Hazelwood Primary, said: “We are delighted to have secured this funding, which will allow us to create more nursery places and support even more families in our community.

“This expansion means we can build on the strong relationships we already have with families and ensure that more children can benefit from a settled, high-quality start to their education close to home.”

Karl Sampson, Regional Education Director for Lift Schools, said: “This investment at Lift Hazelwood is a great example of responding to local need. It will enable Lift Hazelwood to increase nursery capacity and ensure more children can access high-quality early education in a trusted setting, helping to build strong foundations for their learning journey.”

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said: “Our school-based nurseries are already helping fill the gaps in communities where childcare is hardest to find, giving children the strong start they deserve and helping parents access childcare close to home.

“By expanding these nurseries further and targeting them at the areas that need them most, we are making sure more families can benefit from quality early education while putting practical support in place to help with the cost of living.”