School-based nursery capital grant: summary

Find out if your school is eligible to bid for up to £150,000 of funding to set up a new nursery or expand your existing provision. If you are, you'll need to apply before 19 December 2024 to be considered. Read about the application process and how your proposal will be assessed.

Last reviewed on 23 October 2024
School types: AllSchool phases: AllRef: 49889
Contents
  1. What is it?
  2. What can it be spent on?
  3. Who can apply?
  4. When is the deadline?
  5. What should we prepare before applying?
  6. How to apply
  7. How are bids assessed?
  8. When will we learn the outcome?

This article is based on the school-based nursery capital grant 2024 to 2025 guidance.

What is it?

The school-based nursery capital grant is a one-off grant for eligible state-funded primary-phase schools. 

You can apply for up to £150,000 of funding to convert spare space in your school – either to expand your existing nursery provision or set up a new nursery.

The DfE's aim is to increase the capacity of early years education by using spare space in school buildings caused by falling primary school rolls (where the space might not be needed in future).

What can it be spent on?

Converting a school building Renovating or refurbishing existing school space to make it suitable for nursery provision Upgrading essential systems like heating or plumbing in