School Based Nurseries
The Department for Education (DfE) has announced the launch of phase 2 of the School Based Nurseries programme. Schools have been invited to apply for up to £150,000 to support capital projects that will create or expand on-site nurseries.
The application window runs from 22 September to 11 December 2025 and supports projects ready to offer new places in 2026/27, with projects aiming to be operational by September 2026.
Schools have been encouraged to work with Staffordshire County Council (SCC) at an early stage as there will be a key role for the local authority to assess the suitability of proposed projects in line with sufficiency duties and space requirements in schools / pupil place planning.
Some key points to consider:
- There is an increased focus on supporting families in disadvantaged areas and this will have a high priority when scoring applications. DfE will also score based on local need, value for money and quality/Ofsted.
- Schools can work with childminders; and private, voluntary and independent nurseries to deliver provision on the school site.
- Schools can ‘create’ or ‘repurpose’ space to create provision – the project must increase places available and the use of other funding sources is supported.
- State-funded primary-phase schools in England that already offer some early education (such as a reception class) can apply. Maintained Nurseries are also invited to apply for this phase.
- Providers that received funding in phase 1, cannot receive funding in phase 2.
- Written landowner approval will be required (if this is SCC, please make contact as early in the process as possible).
- Those schools not ready to submit an application in this phase, can submit their interest for phase 3.
The process for interested schools in Staffordshire:
- Schools should read the guidance thoroughly as applications are made by the school directly to the DfE.
- Schools should contact SCC initially to access data on sufficiency and to gain an initial indication of whether places are required.
- If a school wants to progress their application, SCC support will be required. This can be requested by completing our expression of interest (226 KB) giving details of the planned proposals (which may not be detailed at this stage).
- If supported, SCC will then complete the “local authority approval form” and return to the applicant. This is a mandatory requirement.
To begin the process, interested schools should contact the Early Years Sufficiency and Market Development Team at eeac@staffordshire.gov.uk and a member of the team will be in touch. The team can provide advice on local need and provide advice on your project to support Ofsted registration (e.g. space requirements etc).
Details of the grant process and application forms.