New Government Grants Available For School-Based Nurseries

The government has announced plans to deliver 3,000 school-based nurseries (SBN) to ensure that more children can have access to the best start in life. Capital grants are available to eligible applicants within the education sector, to enable them to put the necessary facilities in place.

The first funding round of £150,000 has already been closed to new applications, but with a total funding pot of £15 million, it is likely that more applications will be invited soon. Primary schools can register their interest with the Department of Education.

Here’s a look at the details of the plans, and how modular nursery buildings can be part of the solution.

Why have the SBN grants been made available?

The amount of free childcare hours available to parents has been expanded to help more parents continue to work, or to look for a job if they are currently not working.

From September 2024, eligible parents of children two years old or younger became entitled to 15 hours of government funded childcare per week, and from September 2025, all eligible parents of children aged nine months or older will be able to access 30 hours of childcare per week for 38 weeks of the year.

To meet the extra demand, most areas of the country will need to expand their early years provision by between ten to 20 per cent. Therefore, the Department of Education has made the funding available to allow for the necessary facilities to be created.

SBNs are considered particularly valuable, because they provide better continuity for children, who can transition directly from the nursery to reception and early primary education. Staff turnover is also lower, and they have the option of working across different age groups.

Who is eligible for the SBN funding?

The SBN grants are available to state-funded primary schools (except special needs schools) that currently have a reception class or other early years provision The funding is for the sole purpose of creating new space for nursery provision, or repurposing an existing space with the primary school buildings.

The new facilities must be in place by the 2025-26 academic year (unless there is a justifiable reason why not). The grant can be used to create a nursery embedded within a school building; nursery units such as modular buildings; or to contract an independent nursery to deliver provision on a school site.

How modular cabins can be used for nursery provision

Many primary schools will not have surplus space within the existing building to accommodate a nursery. Therefore, modular buildings can provide a time and cost effective solution.

Fast delivery and installation times

With the first new nursery places required by September 2025, time will be of the essence. The planning and construction of a bricks and mortar building can take months or even years, and is subject to delays and unplanned budget hikes that can throw the whole project off target.

In contrast, a modular building can be installed within weeks at a suitable location adjacent to the school buildings, or within the school grounds. This makes them an ideal choice for primary schools who are looking to create a SBN in the near future.

A highly customisable space

Modular buildings have come a long way since the models of the mid to late twentieth century, which acquired a reputation for being draughty, basic and prone to overheating in summer. Modern cabins are constructed from high-quality insulating materials, and are weatherproof, durable and low-maintenance.

They are also highly versatile spaces, and can be adapted to meet specific needs. For example, larger buildings can be zoned or divided into different rooms to create dedicated areas for constructive play, arts and crafts, music and movement, and hygiene facilities. They create bright and welcoming environments for both young children and their carers.

Versatile uses

Portable cabins can be used as a temporary solution to provide short-term nursery facilities while the school buildings are extended or adapted. They can be relocated or expanded with additional units if needs change. Modular buildings often have comparable lifespans to conventional structures, and therefore can be used to create permanent facilities.

Education Secretary: “no barrier to high quality childcare”

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said: “All children should have the opportunity of a brilliant early education, no matter who they are, where they’re from or how much their parents earn.”

She added: “Our new school-based nurseries will provide thousands of additional places where they are needed most, plugging historic gaps and making sure geography is no barrier to high quality childcare.”

“Whilst some parents may not get their first-choice place next September, I’m determined that every parent is able to access and afford the hours that they are entitled to.”

Primary schools invited to register their interest

Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the school leader’ union, NAHT said: “School-based nurseries play a vital role in the early years sector. It makes sense that where there is spare capacity in schools and demand in the local area, that the government looks to expand school-based provision.”

He added: “It will be important that interested schools are well supported through this process, both practically and financially, and that the government continues to focus on building a strong and sustainable early years workforce.”

“We would encourage schools that are ready to expand or open a nursery to apply for this grant, and for those who may be interested in future to register their interest with the DfE.”

Modular cabins: an attractive option for nurseries

Primary schools who are looking to create high-quality new nursery space within a short time frame and with a fixed budget will find that modular buildings are a very attractive option. They can be customised to a wide range of purposes, are low maintenance and have a long life span.