In March 2023 the government announced that it would be opening a childminder start-up grant scheme. The grants provide eligible new childminders with a one-off payment to help with the costs of setting up.
You can apply for a grant if you registered as a new childminder after 15 March 2023. To be eligible, you must work as a childminder in England and have completed your Ofsted or childminder agency registration before applying.
If you are registered with Ofsted, you will get a single £600 payment. If registered with a childminder agency you’ll get two payments totalling £1,200 (£600 when you register, and a second £600 payment when you start childminding your first child, provided this is within six months).
To apply, visit: childmindergrants.aimsgrants.com
There are two deadlines for applications, depending on when you registered:
- 31 January 2024, if you registered between 15 March–31 July 2023
- 29 February 2024, if you register between 1 August–31 December 2023.
If you have previously been registered as a childminder, and wish to re-register into the sector, you may apply for the scheme, but there needs to be a minimum 12-month gap between your previous registration being cancelled and your new registration being finalised.
You can find further guidance on the scheme at GOV.UK: Apply for a childminder start-up grant
PODTED ON 4 DECEMBER 2023