The extra funding of 198.5m announced last week will provide support for the development and long-term sustainability of out-of-school provision throughout the UK. The money will also be used for a nursery initiative to provide capital funds for childcare establishments caring for nought to three-year-olds, expected to be announced during the summer.
Additional support will be available to start-up schemes and also for childcare places already supported by the New Opportunities Fund, making second-and third-year grants available to some existing childcare projects in the areas of greatest need.
New Opportunities Fund chief executive Stephen Dunmore said, 'This additional longer-term support is excellent news for childcare providers across the UK. This important programme development will ensure the sustainability of provision in the most disadvantaged areas.
'The current programme has already provided start-up funding for over 152,000 new childcare places and currently enjoys an exceptionally high success rate per application.'
Anne Longfield, director of the Kids' Clubs Network, said, 'For those facing particular disadvantages of poverty or poor housing, new opportunities to play and learn at times that enable parents to work are essential. The new neighbourhood childcare initiative recognises this and provides new and extended financial support to set up out-of-school clubs in some of the country's most disadvantaged communities. It brings a real opportunity to work with communities in areas of disadvantage.'
In England, Early Years Development and Childcare Partnerships will co-ordinate and endorse consortium and single route bids for a share of the funds. Bids submitted through the partnership process will be assessed more quickly than others, and have a higher probability of success.
More New Opportunities Fund money has recently been allocated to projects around the UK. In Scotland 1.4m in grants will support out-of-school and summer activities in 14 projects, ranging from expressive arts and outdoor activities to the promotion of healthy living.
In Northern Ireland gifted children, those with special needs and children who have been excluded from school are set to benefit from grants totalling Pounds 346,254 at 47 schools in Belfast, Londonderry, Lisburn, Armagh and Co Tyrone.
In Wales 167 schools will see more than 700,000 spent on encouraging literacy and numeracy in Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly, Gwynedd and Wrexham.
In England more than 10m is going to projects on science and technology and citizenship, among others.