School-Based Nurseries Capital Grant
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 solely for capital expenditure, to convert surplus space within a school building so that it is suitable for nursery provision.
- Opening date:
- Closing date: (Midday)
Contents
Summary
Applications for grant funding are open to state-funded primary-phase schools in England who already offer some early education, such as a reception class. Projects must use surplus space in the school building (including at primary-phase satellite sites).
Maintained nursery schools and special schools cannot apply for this grant because they do not have spare space created by declining primary school rolls. They are however encouraged to register their interest to open new nursery places in the future. This will help inform future development of the programme.
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. We will evaluate applications that meet the eligibility criteria against the assessment criteria detailed in the School-based Nursery Capital Grant 2024 to 2025 guidance.
Any responsible official representing the school, such as a school or multi-academy trust leader, can submit your bid. The bid coordinator must have access to your DfE Sign-In account to apply for the grant through the online application service.
Eligibility
For more information, and before applying for the grant, read:
School-Based Nursery Capital Grant 2024 to 2025 guidance (PDF, 617 KB, 40 pages), which provides:
details of the capital scheme
more detail on the eligibility criteria
guidance for filling in an application as well as the template of the application form
Objectives
This government is committed to expanding SBNs across England, with the SBN Capital Grant 2024 to 2025 marking the first stage in this long-term commitment.
Our primary aim at this stage is to build more capacity into the early education sector by using surplus space in school buildings made available by falling primary school rolls, where this space may not be needed in the near future for primary provision.
Dates
To submit a query about school-based nurseries, use the Customer Help Portal.
Multi-academy trusts should include which school your enquiry relates to. To allow enough time for the team to assist you, we recommend that you submit your enquiry at least 5 working days before the application deadline.
Whilst we will try to respond to all enquiries, we cannot guarantee a response before the application deadline.
Do not submit multiple requests for the same issue.
We are unable to provide any advice related to individual applications due to their competitive nature.
How to apply
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.