What is School-Based Nursery (SBN) Funding?
In October the government announced plans to deliver 3,000 school-based nurseries as part of the Department for Education’s wider plan to increase early years places for children under 5 to enable working parents to access the 30 hours of free childcare.
Their pledge to provide £15 million of capital funding to state-funded primary schools is now in the first stage of applications. Primary schools across England can apply for up to £150,000 each to create or expand school-based nursery provision by using surplus space within primary school buildings.
The application deadline is 19th December 2024, so please do not miss out, get your application in for an opportunity to secure this one-time grant.
Who Is Eligible for the SBN Funding?
Any state-funded primary school in England who currently offers early years education, (for example – has a reception class year group), can apply for the grant to open a new nursery provision or to expand their existing nursery provision.
The project must use surplus space in the school building and aim to open in the 2025/26 academic year.
Nursery schools and special schools are not eligible to apply for the funding.
How To Apply
Submit your application online via your school’s DfE account.
For guidance on how to apply please visit the Gov.Uk website here.
The deadline for the application and your supporting documents is 19 December 2024 by 12pm midday.
Supporting Documents
- Project Plan – Max 750 words to detail how you will allocate the capital funds, why they are needed, summary of the overall project, and any construction and furniture/equipment costs.
- Schools must provide evidence they have considered all solutions/options and the proposal demonstrates best value for money. As part of this the following documents are mandatory:
- Floor plans and project scope.
- Photographs.
- Cost plan or quotations.
- Summary of any consultation sought.
What Can the Grant be Spent On?
- Convert an existing building within the school estate
- Renovations, refurbishments and refits of existing school space into nursery provision, (including any SEND requirements)
- Upgrade essential systems like heating, plumbing, fire alarm and electrical
- Purchase new physical assets for the nursery (to be considered capital expenditure, the asset must bring an economic benefit and be able to be of sufficient value to be depreciated over more than one financial year, eg, computer equipment and furniture)
- Improve outdoor spaces where this is part of the nursery provision
- Technical Advisor fees and survey costs as part of the project team
- Installation of an external canopy to allow for outdoor play
- Purchasing furniture and equipment to allow the nursery to function properly
- Updating the existing finishes (e.g. flooring and surfacing) to those more suitable for a nursery
Important Considerations
The DfE has stressed how important it is to assess the suitability and condition of your surplus space and current facilities to meet the needs of the proposed nursery and if they can be suitably adapted.
Schools must consider factors such as value for money, structural integrity, location on the existing site, accessibility, and the potential for creating a beneficial learning environment for children in early education, in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage statutory requirements.
How Can Morleys Help?
Morleys has over 90 years of experience in interior design, furniture supply, installation and project management. We create inspirational and inclusive learning environments that promote well-being, productivity and creativity.
We have worked on countless new build and refurbishment projects with nurseries and schools, and we understand the unique challenges when it comes to space, budget and logistics. Our in-house team of furniture consultants and FF&E designers have the expertise to create early years spaces that encompass pedagogies, legislation, suitable furniture specifications, spatial layouts and design concepts to get the best return on your investment for your school, your teaching professionals, and your children.
We can also offer a full turnkey solution for your nursery expansion through our partnership with a construction company, supporting with small works, architectural design and building refurbishment.
Get in touch for a free no obligation consultation to find out more about how we can support you with your application, and should you be successful, with your exciting new SBN project.
If you have an education project in the pipeline and would like to know more about the benefits of working with Morleys and the service we offer as FF&E design consultants, please get in touch, we would love to hear from you.