Early Education Partnerships Grant

The Early Education Partnerships Grant funds schools and early years providers to work together. You can get £12,500 to £50,000 to improve how children move from nursery to primary school. The money helps create partnerships between nurseries, childminders, and primary schools. Projects must focus on helping children with special needs and those from disadvantaged backgrounds. Partnerships will share knowledge to make children feel ready for school. The funding runs until 2029. You must apply by 18 July 2026. This grant is only available in England.

This grant is for primary schools and early years providers in England. You could be a nursery, childminder, maintained nursery school, or state-funded primary school. You need to work in partnership with other providers to apply.

The early education partnerships initiative offers funding for schools and early years providers to develop new partnerships to strengthen transitions into school – so children feel confident, prepared and supported when they start school, and schools are ready to meet each child's needs. Partnerships will bring early years providers, including private, voluntary and independent (PVI) nurseries, childminders, maintained nursery schools and school-based nurseries, together with state-funded primary schools to share their knowledge and expertise, improve transitions, and support reception readiness until 2029. Partnerships will focus on inclusion and support for children with SEND, additional needs, and those from disadvantaged backgrounds.