Phase 3 of School-Based Nurseries Capital Grant Announced

New funding aims to expand early years provision in local schools

The School-Based Nursery (SBN) programme has entered the third phase of its capital grant funding, continuing efforts to increase access to early years education for families. This initiative supports the development and enhancement of nursery facilities within schools, enabling more children to benefit from early learning opportunities.

Background and objectives

The SBN programme is designed to address the demand for early years provision by providing financial support to schools for the creation or improvement of nursery spaces. By doing so, it aims to:

• Increase the availability of nursery places within school settings
• Support families in accessing early education close to home
• Enhance the quality of early years environments

Phase 3 funding details

While specific figures and allocation details for phase 3 have not been disclosed, the continuation of the grant indicates ongoing commitment to expanding nursery provision. Schools participating in the programme can apply for capital funding to support building works, refurbishment, or equipment purchases necessary to establish or improve nursery facilities.

Impact on local families and schools

The expansion of school-based nurseries is expected to benefit local communities by providing more accessible early education options. This can help parents and carers with childcare arrangements and support children’s development during their formative years.

Further information about the application process and eligibility criteria for the phase 3 capital grant is available through local education authorities and school networks.