Funding available to improve access to childcare for the poorest two-year-olds

Early Years Hubs will require schools, childminders, private, voluntary and independent (PVI) nurseries, and the maintained sector, to work together over three years with the aim of improving access to the free early years education entitlement for two-year-olds, and improve the quality of provision.

Up to £175,000 is available for each successful hub to use between January 2018 and December 2020.

Proposals will be assessed as part of a competitive grant process run by the Greater London Authority’s education and youth team.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said, 'The benefits of accessible, good quality childcare are clear all round – parents will be able to return to work, children will have more access to quality early years education, and employers will be able to reap the benefits of having skilled and eager parents back in the workplace.'

As the key aim of the hubs will be to promote sustained uptake of the free entitlement for two-year-olds, applicants will be expected to demonstrate that they are located in an area with a below average take-up of the offer, and an above average number of eligible families.

Hubs must also aim to promote early years as a career by working with local schools and colleges, establishing early years apprenticeship ambassadors, and supporting professional development through work with school centres initial teacher training and early years educator training institutions.

Hubs are expected to have between six and 12 core members made up of at least two childminders and two representatives each from both maintained and PVI nurseries.

Core members may also work with other partners such as health services, businesses, further education colleges, non-profit organisations or higher education institutions.

Hubs will be required to work together with their local authorities and a teaching school.
Organisations wanting to make a submission must provide the following documentation to the GLA: