The New Government Funding for Schools to Open a Nursery
A. The School-Based Nursery Capital Grant is a one-time grant available for eligible state-funded primary-phase schools. Schools can bid for up to £150,000 of funding to use for capital expenditure to:
• convert spare space within school buildings into a new nursery
• expand an existing nursery
A. Applications for grant funding are open to state-funded primary-phase schools in England that already offer some early education, such as a reception class. Projects must use surplus space in the school building. The grant cannot be used for new builds on school land.
To qualify, your project must meet all the eligibility criteria within the application. This includes securing support from your local authority and obtaining consent from your landlord or relevant freehold landowner where necessary. The DfE will evaluate applications that meet the eligibility criteria against the assessment criteria detailed in the School-Based Nursery Capital Grant 2024 to 2025 guidance.
A. If you are interested in opening a school-based nursery in the future but you are unable or ineligible to apply in this round, you can register your interest online. This includes schools that:
• do not meet the current eligibility criteria
• are considering opening a nursery within a more extended timeframe
• are facing other challenges at this time which prevent an application being made
You should detail why you would like to open or expand school-based nursery provision, the key challenges that prevent you from doing so, and what support may help you to achieve this in the future. Your contribution will help inform the development of the programme.
The Department for Education (DfE) may contact you to discuss support options and if they do, it will not affect the outcome of any future grant applications.
A. Yes, the DFE have provided two detailed guidance documents.
A. You must submit your application, including all supporting documents, via the online application service by midday on 19 December 2024. We will not accept applications made through other routes or after this deadline.
To help you prepare your application, you can view the template of the application form in the School-Based Nursery Capital Grant 2024 to 2025 guidance. However, applications must be submitted through the online application service.
If you wish to apply but do not have a DfE Sign-in account (required to access the online application service), you must request an account by 12 December 2024.
A. If your application is successful you’ll have until 31 March 2027 to spend your DfE School Based Nurseries Capital Grant.
A. When applying for the school-based nursery capital grant you’ll need to provide the full costings for the project which our in-house educationalists can help with. They’ll work alongside our dedicated projects team to evaluate the space you have available, your expected budget and your curriculum to design inspiring and nurturing environments. Contact us for an initial consultation today.