The DfE has issued local authorities with funding to support the Wraparound Childcare Programme to ensure that all families have access to wraparound childcare from 8am – 6pm. This funding will be used by Staffordshire County Council to provide funding to providers and schools to support them to set up new provision or expand existing provision. This supports the local authority’s duty to provide sufficient childcare, particularly for working parents. There are two types of funding available to applicants through this project.
Programme funding
Funding for local authorities to deliver programme objectives, including to distribute to providers to set up new provision or expand existing provision.
Programme funding can be used to cover costs including staffing, training, and transport costs such as minibus hire (not purchase, although capital funding could be used for this), as well as resources. It can also be used to contribute to running costs whilst demand builds, to remove any financial risk to providers of offering additional places before demand is guaranteed.
Funding can also be used to pay for training for wraparound staff, including specialist training for staff to ensure they feel equipped to support children with additional needs.
Capital funding
Funding for local authorities to support new / extended wraparound provision, including distribution to childcare providers. Capital funding can be used so that providers can ensure that inclusive provision is set up from the beginning, by using it to establish inclusive spaces and buy inclusive equipment and resources.
What is capital funding and what does it cover?
Funding for capital projects would result in tangible assets (i.e. assets with physical substance) that are expected to be used for more than 1 year. This must support the expansion of places. Examples would include:
- Building modifications and renovations (including refurbishment that supports extending the number of places)
- Purchase of furniture, fixtures and fittings
- Purchase of play equipment / fencing, including installation if required
- Purchase of IT Equipment
- Improvements to storage
- Purchase of Vehicles (tax is revenue)
This grant funding is not intended for:
- Routine maintenance or refurbishment of premises
- Capital works to maintain and improve the condition of the school estate.
Who can submit an expression of interest?
The following organisations are invited to submit expressions of interest prior to applying for funding:
- Private, voluntary and independent providers and childminders
- Schools and academies
- New providers – evidence of suitable experience will be required.
- While maximising the availability of provision in general, the local authority will also consider quality and safety factors when choosing to fund a childcare provider.
Providing Quotes
The local authority is developing the application process. It is likely that three written quotes will be required for any work that is to be carried out. Quotes are not required at the ‘expression of interest’ stage.
Which areas is the LA targeting?
A supply and demand survey has been carried out in relation to the expansion, which has highlighted areas where places may be required. Schools and providers are in the best place to highlight gaps and therefore applicants should be able to clearly evidence that the places are required now or in the future when demand increases.
Quality and safety considerations
In line with the DfE guidance, the local authority will also consider the following factors when assessing applications and therefore providers should consider these areas:
Premises and facilities – are safe, suitable, and meet children's needs.
Environment – is safe, welcoming, non-stigmatising, and inclusive.
Staff-child interaction – when working with children, those who provide care are empathetic, considered, and child-focused.
Voice of the child – those who provide care facilitate child-led, choice-based activity and play.
Resources – are safe, stimulating, varied, age appropriate, and able to meet children's needs.
Expectations of applicants
The local authority has the following expectations of providers applying for funding:
- Providers may contribute their own funding to support the project and therefore provide better value for money.
- Providers should not consider that an expression of interest or application for funding is a guarantee of a grant being approved.
- Providers must sign a grant agreement, issued to successful applicants by the local authority.
- The local authority will not fund work that has already been carried out. Any work started prior to the signing of the grant agreement is at the risk of the applicant.
- Previous unsuccessful applicants may apply if their application is for different work than the previous application, or if a key part of the application (e.g. cost or Ofsted grade) has significantly changed.
Scoring and evaluation criteria
The local authority will review all expressions of interest submitted by providers. If your project meets the requirements and is in an area of need you will then be invited to complete a full application form. The following criteria will then be used by the funding panel to score applications. The final decision rests with the panel.
- Sufficiency – Does data suggest that additional places are required?
- Value for money – How many places per £ are being created
- Quality of provision – Judged by Ofsted or through detail provide in the application
- Ownership / length of lease – evidence that the provision is secure in the short term.
- How quickly the applicant could provide additional places
- Evidence of financial sustainability – accounts and/or business plan
Important dates
The funding panel will review all expressions of interest by Friday 31st May. All providers that have completed an expression of interest will be contacted in early June.