Staffordshire County Council is planning to expand nursery provision in schools across the county, with the aim of creating more early years places in areas where families need them most.
The council's Cabinet will discuss participation in the Department for Education's School-based Nursery Capital Grant programme on Wednesday 15 July. The three-year scheme, running from 2027 to 2030, has £325 million of government funding available nationally.
How the programme works
This is the first time local authorities will lead the application process, submitting proposals on behalf of interested schools and academies. The programme is designed to target communities where families may face greater challenges and where access to good quality early education can have the most significant impact.
If approved, Staffordshire County Council would work with schools, academies and Best Start Family Hubs to identify suitable projects. Projects could include creating new nursery classes within primary schools, expanding existing nursery provision, or developing nursery units led by school governors.
What happens next
Schools and academies have been invited to develop expressions of interest. Applications are expected to be reviewed and submitted to the Department for Education later in 2026. The first funding payments are expected from summer 2027, with projects delivered through to 2030.
Councillor Janet Higgins, Cabinet Member for Education and SEND, said the programme offers an opportunity to give more children access to high-quality early education close to home and help them prepare for school.