Wraparound childcare support for professionals
The National Wraparound Childcare Programme is a government initiative designed to expand access to before and after-school childcare for primary school-aged children in England. The aim is to help parents access and remain in employment by ensuring childcare is available between 8am and 6pm during term time.
Through this programme, the Department for Education (DfE) provides funding to local authorities to develop new or expand existing wraparound services. Financial support is also available for eligible families through Universal Credit childcare and tax free childcare.
West Northamptonshire Council began supporting and funding wraparound childcare providers in 2024. This funding helps schools and childcare providers expand services that parents and carers can pay to access.
Programme objectives
The National Wraparound Childcare Programme aims to:
- ensure all families who need wraparound childcare can access it by 2026
- support parents to stay in work or take up new employment opportunities
- fund local authorities to create or expand wraparound childcare provision
How it works
The delivery of wraparound childcare is a shared effort between the Department for Education, local authorities, schools and childcare providers.
The process works as follows:
- the Department for Education provides funding to local councils
- councils work with schools and childcare providers to develop or expand services
- parents can request that their child’s school consider setting up wraparound care if none currently exists
Financial support for parents
Parents may be able to get help with childcare costs through:
- Universal Credit childcare which covers up to 85% of childcare costs
- tax free childcare which covers 20% of costs, up to a set limit
Funding opportunities for schools and providers
The application window for round 3 funding under the National Wraparound Childcare Programme is now open via our portal, the deadline to apply for this is 31 October 2025.
Schools and private providers can apply for a small start-up grant of up to £1,200, depending on the number of additional spaces created and the need in the local area.
This is a one-off, fixed-rate payment per school or provider, to support the creation or expansion of wraparound childcare places.
Funding available
- up to £1,200 for creating new wraparound childcare places
- up to £800 to expand after-school childcare provision (where breakfast provision already exists)
- Up to £400 to expand breakfast provision (where after-school provision already exists)
For further information, see the Wraparound Childcare Programme Revenue Funding Guidance.
Contact us
If you have questions about the application process or the Wraparound Programme, contact the Early Education and Childcare team via email: [email protected].
We can provide further information, share guidance, or arrange a meeting to discuss your application.
Last updated 23 October 2025