{"id":16482,"date":"2024-07-22T11:05:35","date_gmt":"2024-07-22T10:05:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/eycs\/?page_id=16482"},"modified":"2026-09-01T11:56:40","modified_gmt":"2026-09-01T10:56:40","slug":"childcare-expansion-capital-grant","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/eycs\/for-providers\/childcare-expansion-capital-grant\/","title":{"rendered":"Childcare Expansion Capital Grant"},"content":{"rendered":"<ul class=\"accordion \" data-accordion data-allow-all-closed=\"true\" data-multi-expand=\"true\" ><li class=\"accordion-item\" data-accordion-item>\r\n<a href=\"#mac1\" id=\"head1\" role=\"tab\" class=\"accordion-title\" aria-controls=\"mac1\">Applications to expand childcare in former children's centre buildings <\/a><div id=\"mac1\" aria-labelledby=\"head1\" class=\"accordion-content\" data-tab-content><div class=\"targetclass\" >\n<h2>Who can apply?<\/h2>\n<p>The remaining Childcare Expansion Capital Grant is earmarked to support the development of many more places for children under five years olds in eight former children\u2019s centre buildings that are spread across the county.<\/p>\n<p>Three schools were able to apply for the grant in\u202f<strong>Round 1<\/strong>\u202fbecause former children\u2019s centres had been, or were in the process of being, transferred to them.<\/p>\n<p>They were:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Holsworthy Church of England Primary School<\/li>\n<li>Marpool Primary School in Exmouth<\/li>\n<li>South Brent Primary School<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>To avoid delaying the creation of places- those schools could apply as soon as they are ready.<\/p>\n<p>In addition to the school applications, childcare providers that successfully expressed an interest in operating childcare out of the former children\u2019s centre buildings in the following centres can apply in\u202f<strong>Round 2<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Hatherleigh<\/li>\n<li>Sidmouth<\/li>\n<li>Honiton<\/li>\n<li>Tavistock<\/li>\n<li>Great Torrington<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Progress updates<\/h2>\n<p>Childcare providers have been selected to operate from most of the childrens centres featured in the list for <strong>Round 2.<\/strong> The exception is Great Torrington. This former Childrens Centre will be separately advertised in Autumn Term 2026, once the legal aspects have been finalised. Further details will be included on this webpage: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/eycs\/for-providers\/childcare-sufficiency\/new-and-developing-early-years-and-childcare-businesses-page\/opportunities-for-development\/\">Opportunities for Development &#8211; Information for childcare providers<\/a><\/p>\n<p>From Round 1, Holsworthy Voluntary Controlled Primary School successfully opened <a href=\"https:\/\/reports.ofsted.gov.uk\/provider\/16\/2896522\" rel=\"noopener\">Acorn Nursery<\/a> in Summer Term 2026 for 0\u20134-year-olds opening for long days and all year.<\/p>\n<p>South Brent Primary School opens <a href=\"https:\/\/www.south-brent-primary.com\/Nursery-Roots-and-Shoots\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Little Roots and Shoots Nursery<\/a> September 2026 for children from 9 months to 4 years olds all year round.<\/p>\n<p>Marpool former childrens centre currently remains unoccupied.<\/p>\n<h2>What can be applied for?<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Only essential work will be funded.<\/li>\n<li>The grant is intended to enable all of the former childrens centres to open and for childcare to be offered to local families. As we do not know what work needs to be done or the cost of the work, we will take applications within each round and prioritise what is funded.<\/li>\n<li>Within the application we need providers to justify why they are applying by explaining why the work is essential. They should work with their Early Years Sufficiency and Welfare Advisor to ensure that the work they want to do is essential and therefore more likely to be funded through the grant.<\/li>\n<li>Only capital projects can be funded. The grant cannot be used as revenue.<\/li>\n<li>We hope that all applicants will take into consideration that the grant pot is not bottomless and that the grant must be spread across all 8 centres. Within each application for the former Childrens Centres a notional amount was given that could be applied for. Applicants should take note of this when applying for the Childcare Expansion Capital Grant, however, should quotes come in higher than this amount it is important that there is dialogue with relevant Devon County Council officers so a resolution can be found and the provision of childcare places is not delayed.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Consideration and things to do before applying<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Confirmed with Devon County Council how many places and for what ages of children need to be created. For those expressing an interest this will be stated on the application form.<\/li>\n<li>Read the terms and conditions of the grant.<\/li>\n<li>Get written permission from the landlord or building owner.<\/li>\n<li>Three quotes for the essential work. Three quotes are needed to include each element of work, whether it is one single contractor doing the whole job or different trades doing the various parts of the work.<\/li>\n<li>Determine with building professionals how long the work will take to complete.<\/li>\n<li>Have begun the registration process with Ofsted with support for the locality team.<\/li>\n<li>Familiarise yourself with the scoring matrix.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>DO NOT apply until you have included everything in the application we have requested and you are ready to proceed with the project.<\/p>\n<h2>How do I apply?<\/h2>\n<p>Please download this application form: <a href=\"https:\/\/devoncc.sharepoint.com\/:w:\/s\/PublicDocs\/Education\/Ed0ulnyiAL9Pse6ozElfjmgBl20B3RmWzMbo9u86HCnL1A?e=w9Ed6A&amp;or=WORD-WEB.BODY.NT&amp;ct=1788254065592\" rel=\"noopener\">Childcare expansion capital grant for childrens centre buildings.docx<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Complete the form. Check you have answered fully. We need as much detail as you can give. Check the form again.<\/p>\n<p>Ensure all the required information and evidence is attached and send it to: <a href=\"mailto:buildingchildcare@devon.gov.uk\">buildingchildcare@devon.gov.uk<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Please ensure you have thoroughly read and understand the following information:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/devoncc.sharepoint.com\/:w:\/s\/PublicDocs\/Education\/ERKOZDBn8MREtSv43Xh0HhgBOvqkpPDhMTTgi5175fvEJw?e=Lfiqac&amp;or=WORD-WEB.BODY.NT&amp;ct=1788254202386\" rel=\"noopener\">Information and guidance<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/devoncc.sharepoint.com\/:w:\/s\/PublicDocs\/Education\/EaYJfCxuDxdJl36_2KGSgmYBynmVgaYzy6Ov20BXF0geRA?e=ihztuw&amp;or=WORD-WEB.BODY.NT&amp;ct=1788254226799\" rel=\"noopener\">Terms and conditions<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/devoncc.sharepoint.com\/:w:\/s\/PublicDocs\/Education\/ES3P0T8JJsNKuCaCm-rJg60B-E7gy2CZHaFIwDh6XyCavw?e=pdnK77&amp;or=WORD-WEB.BODY.NT&amp;ct=1788254259687\" rel=\"noopener\">Scoring matrix<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/devoncc.sharepoint.com\/:w:\/s\/PublicDocs\/Education\/ESByx7fApuBAqSVcGeZx_ooBgd7PzkPn4BcrP5S9KG64UQ?e=2Sode3&amp;or=WORD-WEB.BODY.NT&amp;ct=1788254314426\" rel=\"noopener\">Pre-requisites for applying for the childcare expansion capital grant<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>How will applications be scored?<\/h2>\n<p>The same Appraisal Panel will consider all applications and apply this scoring matrix in each round.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/devoncc.sharepoint.com\/:w:\/s\/PublicDocs\/Education\/EV2WDwqkZjlDpIFdB_HbtrYBH8I28zDk28YOoqQ-xvDFrQ?e=Jj0I1P&amp;or=WORD-WEB.BODY.NT&amp;ct=1788254414262\" rel=\"noopener\">Scoring Matrix for application for capital funds for former children\u2019s centre buildings.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>As there are two remaining former Childrens Centres that have not yet received funding:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Marpool<\/li>\n<li>Great Torrington<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>The following adjustments will be applied to the matrix:<\/p>\n<div class=\"table-scroll\"><table style=\"width: 100%;border-collapse: collapse\" border=\"1\">\n<caption>\u00a0<\/caption>\n<tbody>\n<tr style=\"height: 400px\">\n<td style=\"width: 16.635%;height: 400px\">4.<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 16.635%;height: 400px\">Project readiness<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 16.635%;height: 400px\">Project ready to progress when grant is given.<br \/>\nAll places will be created by December 2026<br \/>\nCostings, quotes, designs &amp; consents in place.<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 16.635%;height: 400px\">Project would not start immediately after grant is given but all places will be created by February 2027.<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 16.635%;height: 400px\">\n<p>All places will be created by April 2027.<\/p>\n<p>Places need to be created as soon as possible. We do not expect projects to need planning consent.<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 16.635%;height: 400px\">\n<p>Unlikely places would be created by April 2027.<\/p>\n<p>Vague\/unclear project.<\/p>\n<p>In this instance the premises may be reallocated to an alternative provider because childcare places are needed and the grant must be spent.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n<li class=\"accordion-item\" data-accordion-item>\r\n<a href=\"#mac2\" id=\"head2\" role=\"tab\" class=\"accordion-title\" aria-controls=\"mac2\">Important information for applicants <\/a><div id=\"mac2\" aria-labelledby=\"head2\" class=\"accordion-content\" data-tab-content><div class=\"targetclass\" >\n<p><strong>We are no longer accepting applications. Please read the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/eycs\/digest-newsletter\/\">Friday Digest newsletter<\/a> as we will notify providers if a final round will be held in a few months time. Thank you<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>As projects are funded and undertaken officers will monitor progress and if any do not go ahead or come in under budget we will inform providers through the Friday Digest and open for a final round of applications.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to apply.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>This webpage is for early years and childcare providers and prospective providers who want to know how to apply for Childcare Expansion Capital Grant funding in Devon.<\/p>\n<p>We strongly recommend that you read the terms and conditions of the grant and the pre-requisites as this could save you a considerable amount of time and effort. These documents set out the conditions and requirements you must fulfil before you can apply for the grant.<\/p>\n<p>After that you may want to go onto the Information and Guidance document and from there to the application form.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Please download the Application Form onto a laptop or desktop computer.<\/strong> It is a long and complex form and is not suitable for completing on a mobile phone.<\/p>\n<p>This page will be further developed to ensure it is helpful and answers your questions. We hope to include a Frequently Asked Questions section in addition to the documents that are on here now.<\/p>\n<p>Progress updates will be posted as we go through the application and grant giving process. As part of the monitoring we hope to have photographs of the projects that have been undertaken and will share these with you. Please remember to take plenty of before and after pictures!<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Childcare Expansion Capital Grant\u00a0 &#8211; Application Form &#8211; please download onto a laptop or desktop computer<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/devoncc.sharepoint.com\/:w:\/s\/PublicDocs\/Education\/ERKOZDBn8MREtSv43Xh0HhgBOvqkpPDhMTTgi5175fvEJw?e=Lfiqac\" rel=\"noopener\">Childcare Expansion Capital Grant &#8211; Information and Guidance<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/devoncc.sharepoint.com\/:w:\/s\/PublicDocs\/Education\/EaYJfCxuDxdJl36_2KGSgmYBynmVgaYzy6Ov20BXF0geRA?e=ihztuw\" rel=\"noopener\">Childcare Expansion Capital Grant &#8211; Terms and Conditions<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/devoncc.sharepoint.com\/:w:\/s\/PublicDocs\/Education\/ES3P0T8JJsNKuCaCm-rJg60B-E7gy2CZHaFIwDh6XyCavw?e=pdnK77\" rel=\"noopener\">Childcare Expansion Capital Grant &#8211; Scoring Matrix<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/devoncc.sharepoint.com\/:w:\/s\/PublicDocs\/Education\/ESByx7fApuBAqSVcGeZx_ooBgd7PzkPn4BcrP5S9KG64UQ?e=2Sode3\" rel=\"noopener\">Pre-requisites of the Childcare Expansion Capital Grant<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":649,"featured_media":0,"parent":6,"menu_order":3,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"class_list":["post-16482","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-10-10 15:17:59","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"division","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/eycs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/16482","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/eycs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/eycs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/eycs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/649"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/eycs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=16482"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/eycs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/16482\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":20354,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/eycs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/16482\/revisions\/20354"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/eycs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/6"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/eycs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=16482"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}