Aims/priorities: Grants are intended to support Lead Settings to create and deliver the Early Years Stronger Practice Hubs network across England, funding hubs to help early years settings create environments where every child can thrive, regardless of background or need. The hubs achieve this by offering accessible, high-quality professional development, providing expert advice, and sharing evidence-informed resources.
Who can apply? Applications must be made by a Lead Setting, which must be a group-based early years setting (school-based, private, voluntary, independent (PVI), or a maintained nursery school). Each application must also identify between two and four Partner Settings, which may be group-based early years settings or Childminders.
Grant amount: Funding of up to approximately £240,000 per hub per financial year is available.
Application process: Guidelines can be found on the GOV.UK website.
Applications must be submitted by email by the deadline.
Deadline: Friday 16 January 2026 (23:59).
Contact information: Email: EYSPH.applications@education.gov.uk
Website: Early Years Stronger Practice Hubs (2026) - GOV-UK Find a grant