Guidance
Design guidance: early years
Design guide for early years settings, focused on school-based nurseries.
Applies to England
Documents
Details
Guidance to help schools, governing bodies and childcare providers to create or increase nursery provision on school sites. It has been produced in collaboration with local authorities and responsible bodies.
The guide has examples, helpful links and things to consider to support the early stages of project development. It brings together:
- technical standards
- resources to support the design of nurseries for children aged 0 to 5
It should be used alongside the guidance on establishing school-based nursery provision.
Updates to this page
Published 3 July 2026