Small Grants Scheme 2026 to 2027
The closing date for applications is 6 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 6 July 2026.
Terms and conditions