Childcare expansion capital grant
The childcare expansion capital grant funding is awarded by the DfE to Local Authorities to support the provision of the new early years entitlement. Following the first round of capital funding for early years, there is just under £900,000 available for a second round of funding.
This round of funding will focus on increasing places for the youngest children in the areas identified in highest need of additional childcare.
The funding can be used to provide new places for children aged 9 months to 2 years, for settings operating in and serving the wards identified in most need.
- Areas that have been identified in most need
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Areas that have been identified in most need are:
High need areas by district:
District Ward Basingstoke and Deane Bramley Basingstoke and Deane Tadley & Pamber East Hants Alton Holybourne East Hants Clanfield East Hants Froxfield, Sheet & Steep East Hants Whitehill Chase East Hants Whitehill Hogmoor & Greatham Eastleigh Hedge End South Eastleigh Fair Oak & Horton Heath Eastleigh Bursledon & Hound North Eastleigh Hedge End North Eastleigh Hamble & Netley Eastleigh Bishopstoke Eastleigh Botley Eastleigh West End North Eastleigh West End South Fareham Park Gate Fareham Locks Heath Fareham Fareham North-West Fareham Titchfield Gosport Harbourside & Town Gosport Leesland & Newtown Havant Hayling West Havant St. Faith's Havant Waterloo New Forest Totton North New Forest Ashurst, Bramshaw, Copythorne and Netley Marsh New Forest Dibden and Dibden Purlieu New Forest Marchwood and Eling New Forest Hythe Central New Forest Milford and Hordle Rushmoor Wellington Test Valley Charlton & the Pentons Test Valley North Baddesley Test Valley Romsey Cupernham Winchester St. Paul Winchester St. Michael - Eligibility
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Applications are welcomed from a range of provider types, where these are offering the 30-hours early years entitlement. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Private, Voluntary and Independent Providers:
- Private group-based providers, registered with Ofsted (e.g. pre-schools and day nurseries)
- Voluntary group-based providers, registered with Ofsted (including community groups, charities, churches, or religious groups)
- Independent providers offering the early years entitlements
- State-funded schools:
- Local authority maintained primary, infant, and junior schools (including special schools) offering early years entitlements and/or wraparound provision
- Primary, infant, or junior academies or free schools (including special schools) offering early years entitlements and/or wraparound provision
- Maintained nursery schools
- Childminders and childcare on domestic premises
These providers are invited to submit applications for funding that could contribute towards meeting the capital costs associated with building adaptation projects that create additional places for:
- Children taking up an early years place through the expanded 30-hours entitlement for qualifying working parents (from the term following the child reaching 9-months to the term in which they turn 3-years-old).
- When and how to apply
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This funding round is open from 9 December 2024 until 5pm on 17 January 2025.
Please carefully read the detailed information in the new application guidance notes and complete the Childcare expansion capital grant - round 2 application form.
For grants awarded over £25,000 the recipient is required to accept the award on the terms and conditions contained within the grant agreement.