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In a rush? Here's the quick run-down:
Early Years grants and funding can be tricky.
Whether you need new facilities, want to update your play areas or offer more family support, finding the right grant for your project can be challenging. You need to consider how you're meeting the eligibility criteria as well as knowing the range of benefits or improvements you can make with what you receive, and before all that, there's making a successful application.
That’s why we’ve tried to make it that bit easier.
It’s Called: The National Lottery Community Fund from the National Lottery
They give: £300-£10,000
They’re looking for: School-based settings or not-for-profits who can demonstrate that they are building strong relationships in the local community, improving those communities, and offering further support to help people fulfil their potential. You can use the money on everything from equipment and vocational training to one-off events and running costs.
You can apply: Check out the projects they fund and filling out the application.
Our advice? The National Lottery has a strong focus on community. Make sure that you can include this as a key part of your plans and your application.
It’s Called: Tesco Community Grants
They give: A grant of up to £1,500.
They’re looking for: Charities, Schools and not-for-profit Early Years providers in the UK
You can apply: By signing up here.
Our advice? Tesco give 'equipment or non-statutory services for nurseries or schools e.g. forest schools or library books', as the example of projects they welcome applications for. They also state that they are currently prioritising helping projects that support food security, as well as children and young people.
N.B. Businesses, individuals and ‘for profit’ organisations are not eligible.
It’s Called: Local School Nature Grants from Learning through Landscapes
They give: Resources or training up to a value of £500.
They’re looking for: Schools and Early Years providers (with at least 5 staff and a building – either stand-alone or part of a school) in England, Wales and Scotland only.
You can apply: By signing up here for more information about future grant availability.
Our advice? The grant is designed to improve your year round outdoor learning provision and facilitate outdoor play, so have this in mind when you apply.
It’s Called: Small Business Grants
They give: A wide variety of amounts
They’re looking for: All sorts. One of the most reliable ways of finding funding is getting in touch with your local authority and seeing what they specifically offer in your area. It could be anything from grants targeted directly to childcare providers, up to standard small business grants.
You can apply: By heading over here to search for grants in your area.
Our advice? Can’t find what you’re looking for? Local authorities should have information on their website in the business section. Alternatively, just give them a ring and you’re much more likely to get through to someone who can give you useful advice.
It’s Called: Free trees for schools and communities from The Woodland Trust
They give: A variety of tree packages for your setting.
They’re looking for: Nurseries and schools in the UK looking to add more greenery to their outside space.
You can apply: The application process is simple - just fill out the application form here.
Our advice? You'll need to ensure you have enough space to plant the trees you receive, as well as the time to commit to looking after them!
There's also funding available from your local authority, so make the most of what's on offer. We've outlined the main ones below.
It’s Called: Early Years Pupil Premium
They give: Up to £342 per year
They’re looking for: Children who are aged 3 or 4 and in receipt of 15 hours "free" early education. The child's parents must also be in receipt of at least one of the other types of support listed here.
You can apply: This is paid to you by your local authority, so reach out to them to apply.
Our advice? You can choose how you spend EYPP, but it has to meet the needs of the children who are in receipt of it. Your local authority can provide guidance to you about this. Ofsted may choose to track pupils who receive EYPP during your inspection, so be ready to evidence how EYPP funding has supported your provision in regard to children's welfare and development.
It’s Called: The disability access fund or DAF
They give: £800 per child, per year
They’re looking for: Children aged 3 or 4 who have disabilities and are in receipt of disability living allowance (DLA).
You can apply: This is paid to you by your local authority, so reach out to them to apply.
Our advice? You can use DAF to provide opportunities for children with disabiltiies through equipment and resources or by making your setting or facilities more accessible. Defer to your local authority for specific guidance as to how this money can be spent.
It’s Called: SEN inclusion funding or SENIF
They give: This support is usually tiered or banded so amount may vary according to need. You will receive one grant per year for children eligible for this funding.
They’re looking for: 3 and 4 year olds with special needs or emerging SEND, in receipt of 15 or 30 hours "free" Early Years education.
You can apply: This is paid to you by your local authority, so reach out to them to apply.
Our advice? Reach out to your local authority to find out more about how much your organisation can receive to develop SEN inclusion and how the funding they pay may be spent.
Guidance from the Danish Health Ministry, translated in full to English.
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The full recommendations from a working group of over 70 nursery chains in the UK.
Please note: here at Famly we love sharing creative activities for you to try with the children at your setting, but you know them best. Take the time to consider adaptions you might need to make so these activities are accessible and developmentally appropriate for the children you work with. Just as you ordinarily would, conduct risk assessments for your children and your setting before undertaking new activities, and ensure you and your staff are following your own health and safety guidelines.
Get top tips from a setting just like yours. Hear from Alphabet House on why and how they use Famly - and why they’ve never looked back.
Read their story
