Dagenham And Rainham MP Welcomes More Funding for Elm Park Children To Access Childcare Close To Home.

Dagenham and Rainham’s Labour MP, Margaret Mullane, has welcomed yesterday’s announcement that more children in Elm Park will get access to childcare close to home. The RJ Mitchell Primary School has been awarded funding to open a Best Start school-based nursery.

In the latest drive by Labour to bear down on the cost of living, thousands more parents will save up to £8,000 a year as the government expands childcare to over 300 more schools from September. This investment follows on from the expansion of free hours and the capping of branded school uniform costs.

Margaret Mullane MP for Dagenham and Rainham said: “School-based nurseries, combined with Labour’s 30 hours of funded childcare, provide a lifeline for working families. This new Best Start nursery based in The RJ Mitchell Primary School is fantastic news for the area.”

The announcement follows a report published last week showing Labour’s childcare reforms have halved costs for eligible working parents since 2024. New figures published today show over a million parents now use Labour’s government-funded childcare offer – putting up to £8,000 a year back into family budgets.

Margaret added: “The cost of living for families across Dagenham and Rainham is always at the forefront of my mind. I know local people are struggling, that is why this investment is so welcome. Good quality, local and available childcare options give families the support they need to pursue careers whilst also giving their children the best possible start in life.

“What a child goes on to achieve shouldn’t be determined by where they grew up. The investment in education and early years under Labour is starting to level the playing field for young people in areas like Dagenham and Rainham. I wholeheartedly welcome the new nursery, and hope it is the first of many.”

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