Canonium Learning Trust Secures Funding to Establish New Nursery at Ardleigh St Mary’s

 Canonium Learning Trust Secures Funding to Establish New Nursery at Ardleigh St Mary’s


26th March 2026

Ardleigh, Essex

Canonium Learning Trust has successfully secured government funding through the School-Based Nursery Capital Grant 2025-2026 to establish a new pre-school nursery at Ardleigh St Mary’s CofE Primary Academy, with a planned opening in September 2026.

The project forms part of a national programme to expand high-quality early years provision, particularly in areas where access to childcare remains limited. It reflects a clear strategic commitment to ensuring that every child has the strongest possible start to their education.

Delivering Opportunity from the Earliest Years

This investment is grounded in Canonium’s core purpose: giving every child the best possible education.

The new nursery will:

  • Support strong school readiness through high-quality early learning

  • Enable earlier identification and support for children with additional needs, including SEND

  • Strengthen long-term educational outcomes through early intervention

By extending provision into the early years, the Trust is aligning directly with the national ambition to secure the best start in life for every child.

Responding to Community Need

The development of the nursery has been informed through close consultation with the Local Authority, ensuring that provision reflects genuine local demand.

This includes:

  • Addressing gaps in childcare sufficiency

  • Supporting working families with accessible, local provision

  • Providing high-quality early education within a trusted school environment

Strengthening the Whole School Community

The nursery will extend the reach of Ardleigh St Mary’s, strengthening relationships with families from the earliest stage of their child’s education.

This will:

  • Build early connections between families and the school

  • Provide continuity of care and education into Reception

  • Enable earlier, more effective support for children’s development

Looking Ahead

The nursery at Ardleigh St Mary’s CofE Primary Academy will open in September 2026, providing high-quality early years provision for the local community and strengthening the school’s role at the heart of that community.

For further information and updates, please contact Ardleigh St Mary’s CofE Primary Academy on 01206 230394 or via email at admin@ardleigh.academy 

Alternatively, enquiries can be directed to Canonium Learning Trust Admissions at admin@canonium.org, where the team will be pleased to support with any questions regarding the nursery provision or wider Trust opportunities.


www.canonium.org

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