Small Grants Scheme 2026 to 2027
The closing date for applications is 20 July 2026.
When considering an application, the local authority must check that the applicant is eligible and meets the criteria below.
The applicant must:
- show there is good demand for childcare. This includes:
- childminders
- private and voluntary sector providers
- settings offering all-day childcare
- wrap around care
- holiday play schemes
- out of school childcare clubs
- be registered with CIW (Care Inspectorate Wales)
- If they are a new provider, they must confirm in writing they will register as soon as possible.
- If they are not registered within 6 months of grant approval, the local authority may recover the funding
- explain how the funding will benefit the setting and the children
- agree to provide childcare for at least 5 years after the final grant payment
- if they stop offering places, or regularly accept private fee-paying children instead of those funded by the Welsh Government, they may have to repay some or all of the grant
- show they have secure use of the building for at least 5 years
- if the lease has less than 5 years left, the application may still be considered if the landlord clearly intends to renew it
- acknowledge the funding in any promotional material given to parents
Maximum amount available to any one setting in any given financial year
- Childminders registered up to 10 places: £7,500
- Childcare providers registered for up to 15 places: £10,000
- Childcare providers registered for 16 to 29 places: £15,000
- Childcare providers registered for 30 or more places: £20,000
Objectives and priorities
Small grants focus on the areas below. These are not in order of priority.
We give priority to settings that:
- support the local authority’s Childcare Sufficiency Assessment and yearly action plans
- provide Welsh-medium childcare, or help increase Welsh-medium provision
- support joined-up services, for example:
- on school sites
- in community buildings
- in health hubs
- deliver:
- the Childcare Offer
- Flying Start
- Foundation Learning places
- provide out-of-school childcare and improve play opportunities
- offer childcare across the full day, during term time and school holidays, to support families all year round
- are existing Flying Start settings or hubs (small grants are also available to them)
- support disabled children and children with additional learning needs (ALN)
Apply
The grant has closed for this year.
The closing date for applications is 20 July 2026.
Terms and conditions