New Funding to Support Wraparound Childcare
Wraparound childcare gives primary-aged children a safe, supportive place to spend time before and after the school day. In England, this usually means breakfast clubs, after-school clubs and extended provision during term time, often running until 6 pm or later.
New government investment in wraparound childcare funding is helping more schools expand their before and after-school offer. This funding is designed to support working families, improve access to childcare and help schools create high-quality wraparound provision that meets local needs.
There are two types of funding to make this happen. One is called programme funding, worth £253 million. The other is local authority capacity funding, worth £25 million. Both funding streams will run over the next two years.
What Is Programme Funding?
Programme funding is the main source of government funding for wraparound childcare expansion. The amount each local authority receives depends on the number of primary schools in the area that need more before and after-school childcare provision.
Where a school does not currently offer any wraparound childcare, the funding is based on covering two members of staff for 4.5 hours per day, including time for set-up and tidying away.
If a school already provides some wraparound childcare, it may receive a reduced level of funding to help extend or strengthen its existing offer. Additional funding is also included to support provision for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), along with a contribution towards food.
Funding levels vary between regions. This reflects differences such as wage costs and the number of children who may need additional support.
What Is Local Authority Capacity Funding?
Alongside programme funding, councils can also receive local authority capacity funding. This funding is worth 10% of their programme funding allocation and is designed to help councils manage and deliver the wraparound childcare programme effectively.
This funding can be used to support a part-time role focused on planning, coordination and delivery. Every local authority with two or more schools needing wraparound childcare is guaranteed at least £40,556, with additional funding distributed according to programme funding levels.
How Is the Funding Shared?
When deciding how much funding each local authority receives, the government looked at several costs. These costs are different in each area.
The main focus was the number of primary schools without full wraparound care. Some have no care at all, while others only offer part of the day.
The data used to inform these funding decisions came from the January 2023 school census, helping identify the areas where additional support was needed most.
What About the Taper?
Funding starts at 100% in 2024. But over time, it slowly reduces. This is called a taper.
The taper is intended to help wraparound childcare provision become more financially sustainable. Over time, a greater share of running costs is expected to be covered through parental contributions rather than government funding.
| Quarter | Taper |
|---|---|
| Jul–Sep 2024 | 0% (full funding) |
| Oct–Dec 2024 | 0% |
| Jan–Mar 2025 | 5% |
| Apr–Jun 2025 | 30% |
| Jul–Sep 2025 | 60% |
| Oct–Dec 2025 | 90% |
| Jan–Mar 2026 | 90% |
Why This Matters
This investment gives more schools the opportunity to provide safe, reliable and engaging childcare outside normal teaching hours. It supports families who need flexible childcare, helps children benefit from structured activities and gives schools the chance to expand their wider provision.
It also creates more opportunities for inclusive practice, with additional support available for children with SEND and for settings looking to develop a more accessible offer.
How Cosy Can Help
At Cosy, we have resources to make wraparound childcare fun and engaging. Our products include resources that support active play, calm downtime, creativity and inclusive learning before and after the school day.
You can choose from our Physical Development range for active play, and furniture to set up safe, inviting spaces. We also offer sensory and SEND resources to help schools build inclusive wraparound childcare spaces that work for every child and their needs.
