More nursery places are being planned at schools across Staffordshire over the next three years after senior county cllrs agreed to join a national funding scheme.

Staffordshire County Council will work with local schools, academies and Best Start Family Hubs to develop funding applications for Phase Three of the School-based Nursery (SBN) Capital Grant programme, which will run from 2027 to 2030.

On Wednesday (July 15), cabinet members backed the authority's participation in the scheme.

There is £325m funding available in the latest phase of the national programme and projects could include new nursery classes in primary schools, expanding existing nursery provision or developing nursery units led by school governors.

Cllr Janet Higgins, cabinet member for education and SEND, said at Wednesday's meeting: "This programme will help us deliver a stronger early years offer.

"It contributes to our ambition to give every child the best start in life by expanding early education spaces, supporting children's development, improving school readiness and helping to reduce inequalities.

"This programme helps ensure families can access good local provision close to home.

"The school-based model strengthens links between early years and primary education, supporting smoother transitions, early identification of needs and more joined-up support for children and families.

"The programme will help us work with schools, academies and partners to extend provision in the areas where it is most needed, particularly in areas where families may face greater challenges, and where early education can make the biggest difference."

Cllr Martin Rogerson asked why the authority was investing in school-based nurseries.

He added: "What is the long-term benefit of this?"

Cllr Higgins responded: "We want to create more nurseries linked to schools, focussing on communities where access to good-quality education is possibly not as good as it could be. High quality early education can have such a long-term effect.

"We're investing this money as a council and unfortunately we won't see the difference straight away.

"But we need to lay that foundation for future generations to come.

"These young people that access these nursery places will get early help and early education – and also as important their families will get early help and support as well.

"The investment we're making in this project will have massive impact long-term."

Council leader Martin Murray said: "I think it is an amazing project to give people the early start.

"This is something we will see the benefits of in 10 or 15 years from now and onwards – it is so important we get the work done now."