Last month the government launched the School-Based Nursery Capital Grant which is a one-time grant available for eligible state-funded primary 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, from a total funding pot of £15 million.

This is the first stage of the new government’s commitment to create 3,000 new or expanded nurseries to build more capacity into the early education sector. The expansion of Schol Based Nurseries (SBN) will play a key role in delivering the commitment, allowing surplus school space to be utilised as pupil numbers decline.

The funding will be provided for the repurpose of surplus space which could include conversion of a building with the school estate, renovations of existing school space into nursery provision, upgrading essential systems like heating and electrical, where this is needed within the affected space, improving outdoor space where this is part of the nursery.

The application window is short, running from the 17 October 2024 until 19 December 2024. Successful applicants will be notified in the Spring 2025.

The guidance and supporting document provide detailed information for applicants, some of the key considerations are:

• 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) and should aim to be operational in the 2025 to 2026 academic year. If applicants anticipate needing longer to make best use of resources and minimise disruption, they should provide justification for this in your application.

• Applicants must consider suitability of proposed space and ensure plans to open or expand SBN complements the school development plan. Competing priorities for using the space should be considered, to ensure the best use of the school’s assets for the benefit of both children and staff, supporting sustainable and long-term planning.

• Applicants must work with their local authority to ensure that the SBN will meet local need for early education.

If you are interested in submitting a bid for the School-Based Nursery Capital Grant, our team of education experts have extensive experience in application processes run by the Department for Education (DfE) and can support you through all stages of bid preparation. The eligibility and scoring criteria for the fund require strategic thinking about your current and future use of the school space, along with partnering with local authorities to ensure your plans are aligned with local need. We have good working relationships with local authorities and our architecture team regularly assist schools and academies in evaluating their existing space to unlock its maximum potential.

Given the government’s commitment to improving access to early years education, we can expect a larger roll out of the programme later in the parliament following learnings made from this initial phase. Interested schools and nurseries are being encouraged to register their interest to participate in later stages with the DfE and we would also welcome any discussions or questions about future plans for early years you may have.

For more information, please get in touch on 0116 5070130 or email enquire@s2e.org.uk.