Early Years and childcare grants
Funding to ensure there are enough places for children in Oxfordshire.
Apply for a grant
We would like to hear from schools, settings and Academy Trusts interested in expanding their early years
and childcare offer with potential revenue or grant funding.
Early Years Revenue Grants
Providers must meet at least two of the following criteria:
- The project will pay for additional resources to support a child with SEND.
- The project will build capacity to deliver the entitlements to children with SEND.
- The provider is offering a place a term before a refugee child is eligible under the 2 year old, universal or extended entitlements
- The project will provide additional places for universal/extended 3 – 4 year olds in areas where there is an identified shortfall.
- The project will provide additional places for the new working parent entitlements 9 – 3 year olds in areas where there is an identified shortfall.
- Start up funding for out of school provision where a provider can demonstrate a need.
- Provider at risk of closure invited to apply for sustainability funding.
- Is newly registered or judged good or outstanding by Ofsted.
Providers that meet the key criteria in areas where a sufficiency gap has been identified will be prioritised.
Email a brief outline of your proposal to earlyeducationupdates@oxfordshire.gov.uk
DfE School-Based Nursery Grants - Phase 2
The Government has launched phase 2 of its School-Based Nurseries (SBN) capital grant initiative. Applications to the Dfe must be made no later than 11 December 2025 and will need to include a Local Authority authorisation form.
This round is aimed at primary and nursery schools creating new or extended funded places to meet local need, with grants of up to £150,000. Schools can work in partnership with a pvi provider or run the provision themselves.
Information on eligibility, how to apply, and key criteria is available at
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/school-based-nursery-capital-grant-2025-to-2026
If you’ve read the information and want to apply, please register initial interest with the School Organisation and Planning team at school.planning@oxfordshire.gov.uk, including ‘SBN Phase 2’ in the subject title.
The council is particularly keen to learn of schools wishing to provide extended hours early years care (8am-6pm and/or holiday care) and funded places for 9-23-month and 2-year-old children.