Knowsley Council’s Cabinet has approved a proposal to expand nursery provision at St Leo’s and Southmead Catholic Primary school in Whiston.

Halsnead Garden Village has created demand for more nursery provision in the local area, with a further 65 additional early years places needed.

Section 106 developer contributions (£1.499m) have been secured from housing developers at Halsnead Garden Village to deliver more places. The funding will be used to deliver 28 additional places which will be available in time for Easter 2027:-

• 15 additional places for 2 year olds
• 13 additional places for 3 year olds alongside the 26 current places available for 3 year olds

Additional places for 2-year-olds will be provided at Cronton CE Academy and Holy Family Catholic Primary School, Cronton. Together, both schools will provide 25 additional full-time places. This provision is expected to be available by September 2026. In addition, 13 full-time places for 3 year olds have already been provided at Whiston Willis Primary Academy, with effect from September 2024.

Cllr David Longergan, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, said: “It’s really important that early years provision is accessible to our residents.

“The additional places will enhance the quality and availability of early years education, in an area where forecast demand exceeds current supply.

“Increasing the number of nursery places in Whiston and Cronton will allow local families to access high quality early years provision in their local community, reducing travel implications and ensuring children stay in their communities and reduces travel burdens.”