State-funded primary schools that already offer some early education (such as a reception class) and maintained nursery schools can apply for funding to expand nursery provision on the current school premises. This is phase 2 of the School Based Nursery Capital Grant.
Schools can bid for up to £150,000 of funding to use solely for capital expenditure, to convert or repurpose space within a school building so that it is suitable for nursery provision.
For the purposes of this grant, SBNs can operate as:
- nursery classes embedded in a school
- expansions to nursery classes on the site of current maintained nursery schools
- nursery units led by governors or academy trusts
- childminders and private, voluntary, and independent nurseries contracted to deliver nursery provision on a school site, or operating on a school’s behalf.
The funding can be used for a range of capital measures including:
- conversion of a building within the school estate
- renovation, refurbishment and refit of existing school space into nursery provision
- creation of new space to be suitable for a nursery
- upgrading or carrying out alterations to essential systems such as heating, plumbing, fire alarms and electrics
- purchase of furniture and equipment
- improving outdoor spaces, such as playgrounds
- professional services, design fees and survey costs
Focus of fund/fund aims:
Capital grants to improve the availability of early-years provision within schools
Application deadline:
11 December 2025
Fund description:
https://find-government-grants.service.gov.uk/grants/school-based-nursery-capital-grant-1