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Wraparound Childcare Programme 2024-26

The national wraparound childcare programme is part of the childcare reforms announced at the 2023 Spring Budget.

The government’s ambition is that by 2026, all parents and carers of primary school-aged children who need it will be able to access term time childcare in their local area from 8am-6pm, so that parents can access employment and improve labour market participation.

To support this ambition, the government announced that it will provide up to £289 million of start-up funding over two academic years to support local authorities and providers in England to introduce or expand childcare provision on either side of the school day, which parents of primary school-aged children will be able to pay to access.

This programme will only focus on primary school-aged children from reception to year 6, Monday to Friday during term time. Our expectation is that all wraparound provision is 8am-6pm, enabling parents to work a full day with travel time, unless data shows that local demand is for different hours, for example reflecting local labour market patterns.

Revenue Funding

As Sutton already has a strong Wraparound offer we have been allocated £241,000 of revenue grant funding to help create places where there are none or to expand to meet demand.

Childcare provision funded from this grant must meet the definition of wraparound childcare, i.e., be available directly before and after the school day, from 8am to 6pm (or equivalent, if data shows that local demand is for different hours) during school term time for primary school-age children. It may be run on a school site or at another setting. It should not require parents to pick their children up from school and drop them off at another location.

Capital Funding

Sutton has also been granted £387,000 of capital funding to support providers who offer (or are looking to offer) provision that supports the Wraparound Childcare Provision or the expansion of the working parent entitlements for children aged from 9 months to 3 years.

The capital grant must be spent on capital costs and focussed on projects that will increase the physical capacity of early years and wraparound provision in local areas where demand is likely to exceed existing supply. The focus will be to retain existing quality provision or create new places which are accessible to all children, including those with special educational needs and disabilities.

How can I apply?

The first round of funding is now closed. A second round of funding is due to open in January 2025. Please contact the team below to be added to the communication list. 

Further Information

If you have any further questions or require any further information, please contact:

Kelly Evans, Childcare and Sufficiency Lead - kelly.evans@sutton.gov.uk