Minor Capital Fund
The Minor Capital Fund provides grants of up to $100,000 (ex GST) to support the creation of additional preschool places through smaller-scale extensions or renovations and/or the recalculation of unencumbered space for centre-based community preschool and long day care services in areas of need and demand across NSW.
Minor Capital grants can be used to:
- Extend or renovate existing centre-based community preschools or long day care centres offering a preschool program, where it will result in an increase of licenced places allocated to preschool-aged children recceiving preschool education; and/or
- Engage a certified building practitioner to re-calculate unencumbered space where it will result in an increase of licensed places allocated to preschool-aged children receiving preschool education without capital works.
Minor Capital grants must also contribute to the following ojectives:
maximise the number of preschool places available for preschool-aged children to attend at least 600 hours per year or 15 hours per week of quality preschool education.
support ongoing management of the service in line with applicable regulatory requirements.
where possible, leverage funds from sources external to the department, including private finance, charitable donations and grants from other state and federal government agencies.
NOTE: The Start Strong Capital Works Grants Program 'Minor Capital Fund', is different to the Disability and Inclusion Program 'Minor Capital Works (MCW) Funding'.
Who is eligible
To be eligible for funding applicants must:
- be registered or incorporated in Australia; and
- be a not-for-profit organisation or association, or a local government entity; and
- operate an existing education and care service in NSW that delivers preschool education, as an Approved Provider with a valid Service Approval.
For-profit organisations are not eligible to apply for a Minor Capital Fund grant.
Comprehensive information regarding the eligibility and the application requirements can be found in the Minor Capital Fund Guidelines.
How do I apply?
The 2022/23 Minor Capital Fund rounds
Round 1: applications were accepted from 24 October - 4 December 2022.
Round 2: applications accepted form 3 April - 14 May 2023.
Please note Round 1 was only open to community preschools and Round 2 will operate with expanded eligibility that will also include long day care providers and Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations operating a preschool program.
Minor Capital Fund grants will be awarded through a competitive assessment process and assessed individually against the eligibility and selection criteria.
Applications must be submitted via SmartyGrants by an authorised officer.
Before submitting your application it is recommended that you review the following resources: