Other funding for early years providers

Early years funding opportunities

There are a number of funding sources available to childcare providers in Norfolk who have signed the Local Agreement to offer the Early Education entitlements or offer Wraparound Childcare. The purpose of this funding is to support the Local Authority to improve outcomes for children and meet its childcare sufficiency duty by assisting in the costs to provide high quality affordable childcare in Norfolk.

To apply, it will be necessary to comply with specific criteria. When an application is received, applicants are reminded that -

there is no guarantee that funding will be awarded by the panel
unless stated, the funding is revenue and cannot be used for capital works
panel may award funding with conditions
where an award is agreed, a contract or email offer will be issued
the payment of an award will not be actioned without the return of a signed contract or confirmation that the conditions will be met
awards may be paid in instalments
awards are subject to monitoring

Funding and grants available -

Childminder Grants (Ofsted and Agency Registered)

Start Up (£600)
Contributes towards the cost of opening a new provision
To apply for this grant, please download the application and submit via email to earlyyearsfundingpanel@norfolk.gov.uk

Start Up Grant Application for Childminders (Word doc, 56 KB)

Development (£1000)
Contributes towards the cost of increasing number of places offered to families
To apply for this grant, please download the application and submit via email to earlyyearsfundingpanel@norfolk.gov.uk

Development Grant Application for Childminders (Word doc, 63 KB)

Quality and Inclusion (£500)
Contributes towards the purchase of resources and equipment
To apply for this grant, please download the application and submit via email to earlyyearsfundingpanel@norfolk.gov.uk

Quality and Inclusion Grant Application for Childminders (Word doc, 63 KB)

Sustainability
Provides financial help when the business has lost income due to a families change in circumstances. To find out if it is possible to apply, please email earlyyearsfundingpanel@norfolk.gov.uk

PVI Sector, Section 27 School and Nursery Class Provision Grants

To apply for any of these grants, please submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) form via email to earlyyearsfundingpanel@norfolk.gov.uk.

The EOI will be reviewed by panel where the following will be determined -

an application form will be issued
a meeting will be arranged to discuss your enquiry
the EOI is placed on hold
the EOI is declined

Childcare Development (up to £10,000)
Contributes towards the cost to development a new provision by a new or existing provider or expansion of an existing childcare business. This is revenue funding.

Development Grant Expression of Interest Form (Word doc, 50 KB)

Sustainability (up to £10,000)
Provides financial help where a loss in operating costs has occurred or is anticipated. This is revenue funding.

Sustainability Grant Expression of Interest Form (Word doc, 47 KB)

Quality and Inclusion (£5000)
Contributes towards the purchase of resources and equipment. This is revenue funding.

Quality and Inclusion Grant Expression of Interest Form (Word doc, 59 KB)

Wraparound Childcare Grant

This grant contributes towards the cost to develop a new wraparound provision (Breakfast Club or After School Club) or expand an existing offer term time only for primary aged children between 8am and 6pm. This is revenue funding. Awards are paid termly in advance and subject to conditions being met.

To apply for a grant, please request an application via email wraparoundchildcare@norfolk.gov.uk.

Specialist Equipment

Provides opportunity for providers to request specialist equipment via a referral for children with SEND. Please refer to the guidance link below for more information.

Specialist Equipment EY Providers June 2025 (PDF, 212 KB)

SEN Funding

This funding is available to support providers to meet the identified need of children that is "additional to and different from".

More information can be found on our SEND Funding webpage.

Disability Access Fund (DAF)

This fund is available to early years providers to support children with special educational needs and disability (SEND) by removing barriers which prevent children from accessing their free early education entitlement.

To claim this funding, a child must meet certain national criteria. Providers can claim the funding once the parent/carer has nominated them as the main provider of their child's early education entitlement, and demonstrated their child is in receipt of Disability Living Allowance.

More information can be found on our Disability Access Fund (DAF) webpage.

Early Years Pupil Premium (EYPP)

This premium is additional funding to enhance the experience of the child by improving the teaching and learning, facilities, and/or resources, so that there is a positive impact to their progress and development. More information can be found on our EYPP webpage.

Early Education Funding

This funding is available to all early year's providers that meet the statutory guidance for Early Education funding issued by the Department for Education (DfE) and have a local authority funding agreement in place. It is claimed on behalf of parent/carers for their funded early years entitlement.

Other local and national funding schemes and information

Next : Early years funding panel

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