The Early Years Alliance has said it is “disappointed and frustrated” that government policy continues to focus on schools, as the government announced it was on track to deliver more than 4,000 new school-based childcare places this September.

300 schools have accessed £37m in funding to roll out school-based nurseries, with around 200 set to open this September. The government said an average of 20 places would be available per site with up to 6,000 new places in total across the 300 schools taking part in the first phase of the rollout.

• The government has committed to investing £370m in total in its school-based nurseries programme, which aims to meet demand driven by the roll-out of funded entitlement to children from the age of nine months.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said: “Every corner of the early years sector has a vital role to play, and the progress made so far, in the face of an enormous inherited delivery challenge, is testament to their dedication to children and families up and down the country.”

However, Neil Leitch, chief executive of the Early Years Alliance, said: “While we fully recognise that there is an urgent need to boost the number of early years places, we are both disappointed and frustrated that government policy continues to focus almost exclusively on school-based nurseries, especially given this provision accounts for a relatively small proportion of places.”

He added: “With providers from across the sector collectively delivering nearly 1.3 million places to under-fives, it’s clear that the addition of 4,000 places – while welcome – is unlikely to have a significant impact on accessibility overall. What’s more, the extent to which school-based settings will be willing and able to meet the needs of families requiring care and education outside of normal school hours, or during the holidays, remains unclear.”

Purnima Tanuku, executive chair of National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA), said: “For parents, providers and the public purse, it is vital that these settings do not displace or threaten existing high-quality nurseries. We have already seen examples of public money being used where an existing nursery has been displaced or creating places for children in age groups where there is no evidence of additional need. Issues like these must be tackled to give everyone confidence in this policy.”

Wayne Wathen-Howell, head of Minet Infant and Nursery School in Hayes, said his school was “proud” to be opening a new nursery. “Being based on a school site means children can settle in early, build confidence, and feel ready for the step into Reception,” he said. “We’re excited to welcome them through our doors this September.”

The Department for Education said that the Education Secretary would shortly set out the government’s vision for the Reception year and the next phase of action on school readiness.