Guidance

Wraparound childcare: guidance for local authorities

The funding available to local authorities since September 2024 to expand wraparound care, and their role in delivering it.

Applies to England

Documents

Annex A: template job description

Details

Grant payment 5 – the final programme funding for the 2025 to 2026 financial year – will be paid in March 2026, on completion of reporting requirements.

The national wraparound childcare programme provides grant funding to local authorities in England to help make sure that there is sufficient childcare such as breakfast and after-school clubs in their area.

This guidance for local authorities explains:

  • the aims and objectives of the programme
  • what the funding covers
  • how the funding will be allocated

The grant determination letter and allocation methodology is also available.

Updates to this page

Published 27 October 2023
Last updated 23 January 2026 show all updates
  1. Updated the 'National wraparound childcare programme handbook: a guide for local authorities' with an amendment to the grant payment schedule table to confirm the date of the final payment.

  2. Updated the 'National wraparound childcare programme handbook: a guide for local authorities' to clarify the role of schools and provide extra information on funding and transport policy.

  3. Updated 'Annex C: local authority capacity delivery plan template': duplicate column deleted and removed incorrect formulas.

  4. First published.

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