A rural community in Norfolk has received a boost to childcare thanks to the arrival of a brand-new minibus.
Catfield Primary Academy and Sutton Infant Academy can now transport pupils between sites after receiving £24,995 from the government’s Childcare Expansion Capital Grant.
The funding is part of the Norfolk Wraparound Childcare Programme, which has already created more than 2,000 extra childcare places across the county. Run by Norfolk County Council, the scheme is designed to make before and after school care more accessible for families.
For rural schools, transport has long been a barrier. The new minibus will allow children to attend breakfast and afterschool clubs, giving them greater access to high-quality childcare and the chance to take part in more activities.
Councillor Penny Carpenter, cabinet member for Children’s Services, said: “We are proud that Norfolk was one of four early adopters working to develop the Wraparound Childcare programme, ahead of its national rollout in September 2024. The wraparound childcare initiative not only supports working parents but also ensures that children receive high-quality care and educational opportunities.”
Natalie Butcher, Executive Head at The Swallowtail Federation, said the impact was already being felt. “The introduction of a minibus to support our wraparound provision has been exceptional. As a federation of small rural schools, we would not be able to offer provision at just one of our sites. The minibus allows the service to be available to all. There are also huge benefits to the children in terms of social development as they are able to interact with peers across the three schools.”
Local councillor Richard Price welcomed the move, saying it would have “a real positive impact on the local children.”
The Wraparound Childcare Programme is an ambitious national initiative that aims to ensure, by 2026, all parents and carers of primary-aged children can access childcare locally.
Provision runs during term time from 8am until 6pm, Monday to Friday. It is delivered on school sites or at nearby settings, with families expected to pay for sessions. Parents can use Tax-Free Childcare or Universal Credit Childcare to help with the cost.
The Department for Education says the programme is designed to boost employment by giving parents the childcare cover they need to stay in work. Norfolk was one of four councils chosen to lead the scheme ahead of its nationwide rollout.
In summer 2025, an additional 1,943 full wraparound places were created across 114 schools in Norfolk, bringing the total to more than 2,000.
The council expects that, once fully established, the childcare will become self-sustaining, funded through session fees rather than grants.
