Sherwood Forest MP Michelle Welsh writes about giving every child in her constituency the best start

As the MP for Sherwood Forest, I am proud to champion the government’s exciting new plans to ensure every child, no matter their background, receives the best possible start in life.

From early years right through to apprenticeships and skills training, the government is taking significant steps to support families and prepare our young people for the future.

One of the most recent announcements includes the creation of 300 new nurseries across the country by September 2025.

This investment in early years education will make a real difference for families in Sherwood Forest. Furthermore, from September 2025, many parents of children aged 9 months through to 5 years will also benefit from 30 hours of free childcare each week.

This support will help ease the financial pressures on families, giving parents more flexibility to return to work or pursue further education, all while ensuring their children get the quality early education they deserve.

But our ambition for young people doesn't stop at early years. The government is also reforming the apprenticeship system to help bridge the skills gap in our economy.

With the first Skills England report set to highlight nationwide skills shortages, it’s clear we need to equip the next generation with the tools they need to succeed. We will do just that.

By investing in training and apprenticeships, we are building a workforce that is ready to take on the challenges of the future.

Locally, I have been working to ensure that our schools and young people in Sherwood Forest receive the support they need. I have tabled two written questions to the Secretary of State for Education to address concerns about real-terms funding per pupil and the pressing issue of childhood poverty in our area.

I have also visited schools across the constituency, speaking with teachers and pupils to understand the issues they face. Their insights are invaluable as we work to improve our education system.

Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) provision is another critical area. I have met with concerned parents and have called on Nottinghamshire County Council for an urgent update on the current state of SEND provision. Every child deserves the support they need to thrive, and I will continue to push for improvements in this area.

Ultimately, investing in education means investing in the future of our country. By ensuring every child gets the best start in life, we are creating a strong, healthy, and equipped workforce that will drive our economy forward for generations to come.

Together, we can ensure that Sherwood Forest’s children are given every opportunity to succeed.