Deadline: 11-Dec-2025
The Department for Education is accepting applications for its School-based Nursery Capital Grant Programme, which supports eligible schools in creating or expanding nursery provision.
The objective of the SBN programme is to build capacity in areas of need, especially in deprived areas, enhancing the overall local offer without negatively impacting provision in close proximity, including that delivered by external providers. The Best Start in Life strategy recognises that children growing up in poverty or facing social challenges often lack access to high-quality early education, which can significantly impact their readiness for school and long-term outcomes.
For the purpose of this grant, SBNs may take several forms, including nursery classes embedded in a primary school, expansions to existing nursery classes at maintained nursery schools, nursery units led by governors or academy trusts, or provision delivered by childminders and private, voluntary, and independent nurseries operating on a school site.
Applicants can apply for up to £150,000 in capital funding to create or repurpose space for nursery provision. While the use of surplus space was required in phase 1, it is not mandatory in phase 2. Schools are encouraged to combine this grant with other funding sources, provided there are no conflicts, to strengthen their application. The grant cannot be used to reimburse past expenditure and all new childcare places must be operational before September 2027.
Following the success of phase 1 in 2024 to 2025, the government has committed almost £370 million between 2025 and 2030 to expand SBNs across England. The second phase of the programme is open to state-funded primary-phase schools that already offer early education, such as reception classes, and to maintained nursery schools looking to expand provision on their current premises. However, schools that received phase 1 funding are not eligible to apply for this round, though they will be able to participate in phase 3. Special Schools and Pupil Referral Units will not be eligible to apply.
Eligibility criteria require that projects must not have previously received funding under the 2024 to 2025 programme, must result in a net increase in childcare places, must be deliverable within the funding limits, and must be located on eligible school sites. In addition, applicants need written landowner permission and formal approval from their local authority’s Planning, Place and Provision team and Early Years lead. A completed Local Authority Approval Form must accompany the application.
The deadline for applications is 11 December 2025.
For more information, visit Department for Education.