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Early years and childcare school-based nursery provision

Autumn 2025 – DfE funding for School Based Nursery provision

The School-based Nursery (SBN) Capital Grant for 2025 to 2026 is available for eligible state-funded primary-phase schools and maintained nursery schools to apply for up to £150,000 of capital funding to create or expand a school-based nursery.

This is the second phase of the school-based nurseries programme. It builds on the foundations of phase 1 (SBN Capital Grant 2024 to 2025) and has an increased focus on supporting disadvantaged families to access early years provision.

For the purposes of this grant, SBNs can operate as:

  • nursery classes embedded in a primary school
  • expansions to nursery classes on the site of current maintained nursery schools
  • nursery units led by governors or academy trusts
  • childminders and private, voluntary, and independent (PVI) nurseries contracted to deliver nursery provision on a school site, or operating on a school's behalf

Eligibility and how to apply

Visit School-based Nursery Capital Grant 2025 to 2026 - GOV.UK to find out about eligibility and use the template application form (MS Word Document, 583 KB) to help gather the necessary information ahead of applying for the grant through the online application service.

The online application service will open on 22 September 2025. Submit your application, including all supporting documents, by 5pm on 11 December 2025.

 

Support and guidance for Essex schools

For Essex and DfE's guidance and support on establishing school-based nursery provision, use the following online information and downloads

These guides detail what you need to consider if you wish to open or expand nursery provision at your school, including;

  • Delivery Models
  • Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory framework (including space and welfare requirements).
  • DfE technical standards for buildings and grounds.
  • Ofsted or other school premises legislation
  • Making significant changes to your school