The latest round of funding for the Armed Forces Families Fund: Early Years Programme has opened, offering grants of up to £80,000.
Early childhood education and care providers, along with local authorities, are being invited to bid for help to pay for projects that support military families who have children under five.
This year the focus is on increasing capacity so more Service children can attend, providing better learning environments for them, training for staff so they can support them better, and establishing clusters and shared resources with other providers to address their needs. Projects will have to contribute to at least one theme.
Bidding for the grants, which start at £5,000, is expected to be competitive. The first deadline for applications is noon on 4 June, the second 8 October.
To be eligible settings will need to offer group-based childcare where those from Armed Forces families make up at least 50 per cent of the numbers on roll. Settings with a lower percentage can form clusters with others.
The programme is managed by the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust for the MOD.
For more information and guidance on the application process visit covenantfund.org.uk
POSTED ON 17 MARCH 2025
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