Lenthall Infant and Nursery School in Dronfield is set to expand its nursery offerings after receiving a £150,000 government grant. Located on Marsh Avenue, the school is among thousands across the UK to benefit from a national initiative aimed at increasing access to childcare.
The funding is part of a broader £37 million investment from the UK government, intended to create 100,000 new childcare places in over 3,300 schools nationwide. For Lenthall, the grant will support the development of on-site nursery facilities and enable the school to welcome an additional 60 young children from both the local area and neighbouring communities across the Yorkshire border.
Following a recent consultation, the school has received approval to expand its age range, allowing it to now cater to children aged two to seven years.
Headteacher Kerry Moody shared her excitement about the development: “This is fantastic news for our school community. It means we can welcome even more children to Lenthall and offer them a nurturing and inspiring start to their educational journey.”
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She added that the school’s vision goes beyond the current expansion. “This is just the first step. We’re working towards securing further resources to enhance our provision, especially in our outdoor learning areas. We want to create an environment where children thrive and feel part of something special.”
The school has also recently been selected to join the Climate 180 Schools Partnership, a program that supports the integration of climate change awareness into teaching. This partnership will help the school use its extensive outdoor space to provide meaningful, nature-focused learning experiences.
“Our aim is to establish Lenthall as a leading provider of early childhood education in Derbyshire,” Moody said. “We’re committed to giving every child the best start, and this funding allows us to take a big step toward achieving that.”
