Grant News

The Department for Education has launched the second phase of its School-based Nursery (SBN) Capital Grant, offering up to £150,000 to eligible state-funded primary-phase and maintained nursery schools in England to create or expand nursery provision. 

The programme builds on the first phase delivered in 2024–25 and is part of a wider government pledge of £370 million between 2025 and 2030 to expand SBNs, particularly in deprived areas. The objective is to boost early years capacity, improve access for disadvantaged families, and ensure high-quality provision supports children’s school readiness without displacing existing local services.

Funding can be used to create or repurpose spaces for nursery classes within primary schools, expand nursery classes in maintained nurseries, or support nursery units run by governors, academy trusts, or contracted providers. Projects must deliver a net increase in childcare places and be operational before September 2027.

Schools that received funding in phase one, Special Schools, and Pupil Referral Units are not eligible for this round, but may be considered for future phases. Applications require local authority approval and landowner permission, with successful applicants notified in April 2026.

Applications close on 11 December 2025.