State funded primary-phase schools can apply from now until 19 December for up to £150,000 of capital funding to upgrade spare space to create or expand on-site nurseries. The total funding available is £15million and can support up to 300 schools.

Nurseries can be school-run or delivered by private and voluntary providers or childminders on the school’s site and can cater for any early years age group.

In applying for the funding, schools will need to collaborate with the local authority to understand local early years demand and sufficiency. When applying for funding, schools will have to outline how their proposals meet local early years demand and confirm that their local authority is content with their proposals to use surplus space to add new or expanded nursery provision. 

Please see the DfE press notice and two guidance documents; the School-Based Nursery Capital Grant guidance provides more information on the grant, its criteria and how schools apply, the Establishing school-based nursery provision guidance provides more general, supporting guidance.

School-Based Nurseries Capital Grant information sessions:

  • 5 Nov 2024, 10.00-11.00 – webinar for schools interested in applying for funding through the SBN capital grant.
  • 6 Nov 2024, 11.00-12.00 – webinar for LAs and other responsible bodies who would like to hear more about the bidding process and their role in supporting schools who wish to apply.
  • 28 Nov 2024, 14.00-15.00 – webinar for schools, LAs and other responsible bodies and will offer a chance to ask

For more information contact Heather Ryder-Carrington.

Email: Heather.ryder-carrington@derby.gov.uk 

Telephone Number: 01332 642603