National wraparound childcare programme

To support the Government’s ambition of all primary school pupils having access to provision from 8:00am to 6:00pm (or equivalent hours), funding is available support the creation and expansion of wraparound provision.

Capital funding

A small amount of capital funding is available to support schools and settings, where a sufficiency need has been identified.

Capital funding encompasses building work, the installation of fixed assets and equipment with a shelf life of more than a year and costing more than £500; it cannot fund unfixed play resources or running costs. It is not intended for routine maintenance or refurbishment of premises. 

For further information about the use of capital funding for wraparound provision, see: 

• Childcare expansion capital grant funding - GOV.UK

Revenue funding

Revenue funding is available to support start-up costs, staff training, resources and transport hire. It cannot be used to subsidise the cost of places (for parents and carers) or for running costs of ongoing provision unless the provision is expanding or increasing their wraparound offer.

Revenue funding can be used to:

• create new wraparound provision (8:00am to 6:00pm or equivalent hours, term-time)
• expand existing wraparound provision, creating additional places and or increasing offer to meet the 8:00am to 6:00pm (or equivalent hours) requirement
• remove identified delivery barriers

Applications for funding will be judged as per the criteria below, which includes value for money, applications will be compared to prioritise low-cost solutions wherever possible. Applications for revenue funding should not exceed:

• £500 per place to expand existing provision to meet 8am – 6pm (or equivalent hours) requirement
• £500 per place to expand the number of places available at existing provision, which already meets the 8:00am to 6:00pm requirement
• £1000 to create brand new provision

Where there are significant, identified barriers to either the supply or demand of wraparound childcare, applications that exceed the above expectations will be considered however it is recommended that you discuss your plans with Sharon Jones, Early Years Improvement Advisor, before submitting your application.

Eligibility

The funding is available for any school or PVI setting, including childminders, supporting a school to meet demand generated by Worcestershire school pupils. PVI settings must be Ofsted registered or, in the case of Childminders or Childcare on Domestic Premises registered with either Ofsted or a Childminder Agency.

The new provision must be offered 8:00am to 6:00pm or equivalent hours to meet the demands of the school community, Monday to Friday during term-time. Funding cannot be used to open and expand holiday-based provision, however we would recommend assessing the need for holiday provision. Non-financial support is available if this is something you would like to pursue.

The new and expanded wraparound offer must not jeopardise any existing provision in the local area. Where provision already exists for pupils of a school there must be clear evidence that there is unmet demand that would sustain both provisions being in operation.

Where a PVI setting is opening wraparound provision for pupils at specific schools, the PVI setting is expected to work with the school and develop a working agreement; the school must be named in the application and agreement received from the Trust or Governing Body.

Provision must enable parents to use Tax-Free Childcare and the childcare element of Universal Credit, as appropriate.

All provision supported by the Wraparound Funding must comply with the DfE criteria outlined here: Wraparound childcare guidance for schools - GOV.UK

Apply for funding

All applications for funding need to be submitted using the appropriate application form via the link below. All applications will be considered by an evaluation panel, with the outcome communicated as soon as possible. Where applications are not successful, feedback will be provided to inform any future Wraparound Funding applications.

Apply for Wraparound Programme funding 

The following documents must be submitted as part of the application:

1. Cash-flow forecast covering the next 3 years (2024/25, 2025/26 and 2026/27)
2. Quotes (For proposals that include capital funding or purchasing of material goods): PVI settings, Maintained and Academy schools must follow the LA guidance and submit:
   1. quotes for applications under £20,000
   2. 4 written quotes or formal invitations to tender for applications over £20,000 and less than £50,000

For applications above the thresholds listed above, a formal buying process must be completed.

1. Evidence of demand
   1. Where wraparound provision is already in place (providing a service to pupils at a specific school), clear evidence of unmet demand must be submitted. We would expect evidence to include (anonymised) details of families who are unable to access wraparound provision to meet their needs. Where additional wraparound provision is in place within the local community, meeting the needs of families, we would not expect existing provision to be negatively impacted by your proposal.
2. Partnership Working
   1. Where you are a PVI working with a school you must provide a copy of your working agreement with the school signed by the Governing Body/Trust or an email confirming you your working arrangements must be provided.

Only one application will be considered at a time; if an application is unsuccessful, further submissions can be made once feedback has been supplied.