Early Years (VCS) Grants 2017-18

Please note that this is a grant opportunity.

Through the Early Years VCS Grant Programme we want to help develop and further our strategic aims to support early years delivery priorities. We are making available up to a maximum of £5.2 million in early years grant funding to VCS organisations for an 15-month period (January 2017- March 2018) to help deliver on four early years priorities:

• Supporting Disadvantaged Children • EYSEND – Early Years Special Educational Needs and Disabilities • Workforce Development – Quality • Implementation Support

A number of grants will be awarded across each of these four priority themes. VCS organisations may submit bids related to one or more priority area. A separate application form must be completed for each priority area.

There is no specific minimum or maximum amount of grant award. As an indicative guide for bidders, and reflecting the national focus of this grant opportunity, we would expect grant awards to be in the region of £150,000 to £450,000 for each financial year, apportioned accordingly. The exact number and size of individual grants will depend on the range and quality of bids received.

The successful bidders will deliver activities in support of one or more of the above early years priorities. We are targeting these priorities to help address gaps in the market; provide support for the most disdvantaged children; and to further support or embed Government childcare reforms.

Applications will be assessed and prioritised according to the extent to which they meet the assessment criteria described in the application form.

Any questions related to points of clarification, or process must be submitted by noon Friday 7 October 2016 to: [email protected]

Length of Grants: 15 months - 1 January 2017 - 31 March 2018. There is potential to extend for a further six months (April 2018 to October 2018) - subject to funding being available.

Estimated value or range of values: £150,000 - £450,000 pa (pro-rata for Jan-March 2017 and April-March 2018) per grant award.

Additional information: Timetable

Invitation to bid published Wednesday 28 September Deadline for bids Noon Wednesday 19 October Successful bidders notified of results End of November Due diligence period End of November/Early December Early Years grants awarded and grant funding agreements finalised End of December.

When submitting your final application, please include the following:

• Application form and the declaration form • All financial documents as specified in the application form

Please send your documents in an email specifying your organisation name and the priority theme/s you are bidding under in the subject line.

A model grant funding agreement letter, model grant funding agreement terms and conditions and grant funding agreement explanatory notes are also provided above for information.