THE Government has reassured thousands of people who signed a petition, calling for funding to be guaranteed for nurseries.

Early Years Minister, Nadhim Zahawi, has announced that funding for state-maintained nurseries has been extended to cover the summer term of 2020.

More than 9,000 people have signed a petition, created by local councillor Rachel Eden, asking for reassurance on this subject.

The campaign has been supported by Matt Rodda, Labour MP for Reading East, who wanted a promise that funding would not be pulled.

He said: "I'm pleased that the Government has accepted that nursery schools need more funding, during the next year, following the campaign by nurseries in Reading and around the country.

"I believe it was important to support the campaign and I will continue to press the Government for more funding in the longer term."

Caversham, New Bridge, and Blagdon have all be rated 'Outstanding' by the education watchdog.

However, there remains widespread concern about a lack of funding for education.