Local authorities to bid for capital funding to help the expansion of the 30hr entitlement
To help drive the government’s expansion of the 30hrs entitlement local authorities will be able to bid for capital funding. There will be at least £50m available for capital investment to support childcare settings in providing the 30hrs free childcare. The Department of Education is asking to hear from local authorities who are interested. At this stage, the DFE are not asking for proposals, they are asking for local authorities to work closely with childcare providers who are interested in demonstrating why the capital funding would help offer childcare places in the area.
Any projects put forward for the Capital funding must be able to demonstrate why the Capital Funding is the solution to providing childcare places. Settings who put projects forward must be offering the 30hrs and already offer childcare for three and four years old. The setting involved must also be recognised by Ofsted for providing high-quality care. Councils will need to produce date to show that the capital funding is required to meet the need for childcare places.
At the moment, the cost thresholds for the project will not be announced and the DFE is not limiting the type of childcare provider that is eligible.
Local authorities are being told at this stage not to submit any detail plans, all information from this initial process will be used to help inform the guidance of the full bidding process. The bidding process will take place later this year.
If local authorities are successful they will receive the grants during the 2016/2017 financial year.
Local authorities that wish to bid for the capitals funding must submit their expression of interest by 29th April.