Building Blocks Extension Grant Scheme For Early Learning and Childcare Services

The Building Blocks Extension Grant Scheme opens a significant capital funding opportunity for existing childcare providers — with grants of up to €530,000 available to extend or build new premises.

A new government funding scheme has launched to address the growing demand for Pre-Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) places across the country.

The Building Blocks Extension Grant Scheme, backed by €10 million in capital investment, is designed to help existing childcare providers expand their capacity, at a time when demand for full-time places for children aged 1–3 continues to increase.

The initiative targets areas where demand most significantly exceeds available places, as identified by the Department of Children, Disability, and Equality in its analysis of the latest census data.

What Does The Scheme Cover?

The scheme is structured across four distinct strands, giving both community and private providers a pathway to access funding depending on their situations:
  • Extensions to existing premises for private services
  • Extensions to existing premises for community services
  • Purchase of new premises for community services
  • Construction of new premises for community services

Capital Grants Range:

  • Community Providers: Can apply for capital grants ranging from €100,000 to €530,000.
  • Private Providers: Can apply for grants between €50,000 and €265,000.
Inside Classroom

 

Who Is Eligible?

The scheme is open exclusively to current Core Funding Partner Services (i.e., providers already participating in the government’s Core Funding Programme). Eligibility is conditional on a service’s commitment to expanding its offering in the ways listed below.

Eligibility Criteria:

  • Must be a current Core Funding Partner Service.
  • Must offer additional full-time places for children aged 1–3.
  • Part-time or sessional services must be willing to extend operations to provide full-time places.
  • Must commit to opening for a minimum of 46 weeks per year, five days per week, eight hours per day.

How Funding Will Be Targeted?

Rather than distributing grants on a first-come, first-served basis, the Department has used census data to map areas where pre-ECCE supply falls significantly below demand.
This means that applicants in high-need areas will be prioritised through the appraisal process, an approach that aims to ensure public investment delivers the greatest impact where it is needed most.
The scheme will also apply a maximum fee threshold for places delivered through this funding, ensuring that the resulting childcare capacity remains genuinely affordable for families.

What Are The Key Dates To Know?

Phase 2 of the Building Blocks Extension Scheme is now open. The closing date for the current application window is 31st July 2026, with outcomes to be communicated in September 2026. Successful applicants will be able to begin their projects from 1st January 2027, with the requirement that all works are completed by 31st December 2027.
Key Dates:
  • Applications Close: 31st July 2026
  • Application Outcomes: September 2026
  • Projects Commence By: 1st January 2027
  • Projects Completion By: 31st December 2027

How Can Modulacc Help?

For providers awarded funding, the clock starts immediately. With a deadline of 31st December 2027 and a start date no earlier than 1st January 2027, the delivery window is tight.

This is where Modulacc comes in.

We have a long history of delivering modular building solutions across the Irish education sector, and our buildings are eligible for this funding.

Through Modern Methods of Construction, a process that involves designing your building, manufacturing it off-site in our factories, and installing it on your site, you can expect the following benefits compared to traditional construction, all while delivering a building equivalent in both quality and performance:

  • Faster project delivery
  • High-quality manufacturing through our factory-controlled process
  • Minimal disruption to your operations
  • Greater build accuracy
  • Cost Certainty

Our 3D volumetric modular buildings are fully compliant with Irish building regulations and highly energy-efficient, and we can take your project from conception to completion, providing a service that includes statutory planning, design and certification through to manufacturing, site works, fit-out and commissioning.

From first call to final handover, we work in close partnership, sharing expertise and resolving challenges together.

 

Whether extending an existing building or delivering a new purpose-built facility, our buildings are eligible for funding, satisfy regulatory standards, and ensure spaces are ready for children and the teams that care for them. Contact us today to learn how we can bring your vision to life, creating a space where the children in your care can thrive.