School Based Nursery Capital Programme

Our Expertise in Early Years Childcare

Place Group has extensive expertise in the early years childcare sector – with its research team having worked with one-third of all English, and many Welsh, local authorities on early years childcare sufficiency and business planning projects since the initiation of the Childcare Act 2006.

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Our Success in Phase 1 Applications to the DfE’s School-Based Nurseries Capital Programme

Place Group successfully wrote a number of applications for (the inaugural) Phase 1 of the DfE’s School-Based Nurseries Capital Programme (SBN) launched in October 2024, through which up to £150,000 in capital funding could be secured.

It has also been working in 2025 on the pre-opening project management of Phase 1 School-Based Nurseries.

You can apply to Phase 2 of the programme between 22 September 2025 – 11 December 2025, again for up to £150,000 of capital funding.

Phase 2 of the SBN Capital Grant presents a valuable opportunity for schools to expand existing or establish new nursery provision, particularly in disadvantaged areas – which the DfE’s Phase 2 assessment process will prioritise.

Phase 3 of the SBN Capital Grant is expected to launch in early 2026.
As part of Phase 3, local authorities will be invited to develop multi-year funding proposals (2027-2030).
The DfE will publish separate guidance to support this process in early 2026 and will engage with local authorities and schools in autumn 2025
to provide further details.

Full details on of SBN programme can be viewed here:
DfE Blog – Nurseries in Schools: Everything You Need to Know

Place Group has first-hand relationships with the relevant childcare sufficiency officers from the majority of English local authorities, and can support with this critical first process.

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How We Support Applications

Place Group’s early years and childcare specialists can then write a compelling School-Based Nurseries Capital programme application for a school, Multi Academy Trust(s), Single Academy Trust(s) and/or a maintained nursery school or class.

We can take full responsibility for the following key elements:

• School site visits – confirming feasibility through a space assessment and business planning review, and establishing application viability with headteachers/Trust leaders.
• Consultation and engagement – launching, managing, and analysing feedback from the school community.
• Local authority liaison – engaging with relevant officers to ensure their full support for the application.
• Application writing – producing strong content within the online application process, covering all the sections of the application:
  • Eligibility criteria
  • About your school or trust
  • About the project
  • Project overview and business model
  • Local need
  • Approach to early education and the Early Years Foundation Stage
  • Evaluation of risks
  • Management of provision
  • Value for money, including obtaining quotes from contactors

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Our Success in Managing the Pre-Opening of
successful SBN Applications

For successful Phase 2 applications, our experienced team can deliver the pre-opening project management like we did for successful Phase 1 applicants –
which typically involves actions including:

• Managing the capital project delivery
• Implementing the application’s business plan and vision
• Confirming turnover and profitability projections
• Support with marketing and ensuring occupancy
• Support with recruitment of the nursery leadership and team
• Liaison with the DfE
• Liaison (as required) with Ofsted registration requirements

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If you are interested in further exploring how Place Group can support you with such an application please contact us at our Contact page.