UK Government to Launch £15 Million Fund for School-Based Nurseries

The UK Government will launch the first stage of a plan to create 3,000 new nurseries by upgrading unused spaces in primary schools, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has announced. The initiative is part of a wider effort to increase access to early years education and childcare across the country.

From October 2024, schools will be invited to bid for a share of £15 million in capital funding. The funding round aims to deliver up to 300 new or expanded nurseries in its first phase, as part of the government’s long-term strategy to make early education more widely available and accessible. This initiative is tied to the government’s expansion of childcare support, which will offer 30 hours of free childcare per week for working parents from 2025.

Schools applying for the funding will need to show how their proposals meet local childcare needs, particularly in areas that are currently underserved. The government plans to use this first phase to gather insights and data that will inform future rounds of funding, ensuring that the programme reaches those communities that need it most.

Schools interested in applying for the first funding round are encouraged to begin discussions with local authorities, governing bodies and stakeholders. Funding will be allocated to successful schools by Spring 2025, with the goal of having the first cohort of nursery places ready later in the year. Schools can also express interest in future phases of the programme as the Department for Education works to assess demand in various regions across the country.

Guidance to support schools will be issued at the date of launch.