The Wraparound Care Expansion Programme provides two types of funding—Capital Funding and Programme Funding—to support the expansion of childcare services for early years and primary-aged children.
Capital Funding
The Department for Education (DfE) has allocated £100 million of capital funding nationally for 2023–24, with East Riding receiving £679,000. This funding is aimed at increasing the physical capacity of childcare services to meet growing demand, ensuring inclusive, high-quality provision for all children, including those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
How Capital Funding Can Be Spent
Capital funding must focus on projects that create or enhance childcare and wraparound spaces that bring long-term economic benefit. Examples include:
● Creating New Childcare Places: Establishing new facilities or expanding existing settings to meet increased demand for childcare and wraparound services.
● Retaining Existing Provision: Renovating facilities to retain childcare places where the environment is beyond repair.
● Improving Accessibility: Adapting or remodeling facilities to accommodate children with SEND or to broaden the accessibility of provision.
● Building Modifications: Installing secure external access, outdoor lighting, or other modifications to make spaces usable outside regular school hours.
● Purchasing Physical Assets: Fixed assets such as outdoor play equipment, minibuses for transport, or furniture like tables and chairs.
Capital Funding Restrictions
Capital funding cannot be used for:
● Routine maintenance or refurbishment.
● Capital works for general school estate improvements.
● Providers not delivering wraparound care or early years entitlements.
● Revenue expenditures (e.g., staffing, training, or resources with limited shelf life).
● Purchases of assets with a life expectancy of over one year exceeding £500 (unless supported by separate capital grant funding).
Conditions for Capital Grant Funding
● Funds must be used exclusively for childcare expansion.
● Unspent funds will be recovered by the Local Authority.
● Recipients must provide termly updates, including data on demand and take-up, and submit case studies.
● All expenditures must align with approved project plans and undergo regular local authority monitoring.
Programme Funding
The Department for Education (DfE) has allocated £253 million of capital funding nationally for 2023–24, with East Riding receiving £2 million. Programme funding supports the setup and expansion of wraparound care, helping to meet current demand while preparing for future growth. The programme runs from Summer 2024 to Spring 2026 and provides tapered funding over five terms.
How Programme Funding Can Be Spent
Programme funding focuses on the initial setup and early running costs of new or expanded wraparound services, covering:
● Staffing Costs: Salaries for staff required to operate the new or expanded provision.
● Training: General and specialist training, including support for staff working with children with SEND.
● Resources: Essential supplies to support provision.
● Running Costs: Temporary financial support during the initial phases while demand builds.
● Staff Childcare Subsidies: Providing free or subsidized places for the children of wraparound staff if needed for recruitment purposes.
● Marketing: Costs associated with promoting the new or expanded childcare provision to ensure families are aware of the services available. This may include local advertisements, leaflets, or online campaigns.
Programme Funding Restrictions
Programme funding cannot be used for:
● Subsidizing the cost of places for parents (new places should be self-sustaining through parental payments).
● Running costs for existing childcare places.
● Purchases of equipment or supplies exceeding £500 in value or having a lifespan of over one year (these should be covered by capital funding).
Conditions for Programme Funding
Recipients must:
● Use funding exclusively for wraparound childcare.
● Return unspent funds to the Local Authority.
● Submit termly reports detailing take-up, demand, and financial progress.
● Share case studies to highlight successes and lessons learned.