The Childminding Business Sustainability Fund from the Scottish Government is now open for applications, where childminding settings can apply to receive a £750 grant.
PLEASE NOTE: The closing date for applications is midnight on Wednesday 17 March.
Each individual childminding setting (registered with the Care Inspectorate as of 1 February 2021) can apply to receive a £750 grant from the Childminding Business Sustainability Fund, to help provide much-needed support for a vital workforce which has been struggling to maintain business viability due to COVID-19.
The closing date for applications is
midnight on Wednesday 17 March. This is a very tight timescale, and only gives childminders a small window to apply; however, we have been reassured by the Scottish Government that the application process is straightforward and should only take a few minutes to complete. We also understand this short timescale is with the intent of paying all awards by the end of this month.
SCMA has been working intensively over a period of months to successfully build the case for financial support for childminders’ business sustainability leading to the establishment of the Childminding Business Sustainability Fund by the Scottish Government.
Please use this opportunity which we have influenced. We advise that childminders don’t delay - submit your application today to ensure you don’t miss the deadline.
How to Apply
All childminders should have received their Provider Update email from the Care Inspectorate, which includes a direct link for you to apply for the Business Sustainability Fund. Don't forget to check your spam/junk folders.
The application process is quick and easy, taking no more than 5-10 minutes to complete. All you will need is your contact details, Care Inspectorate registration number and the bank account details for where you would like the grant to be paid.
IMPORTANT: Please check your personal details carefully and ensure they are accurate before submitting your application.
You will first be asked to set up an account using your email address. Once you have done this, you will be sent an email asking you to verify your email address. This process will help ensure the Scottish Government has the correct contact details for you.
Closing date for applications is
midnight on Wednesday 17 March.
All applications will be validated against Care Inspectorate records for accuracy and processed following the closure of the application window.
You will receive a confirmation email that your application has been submitted successfully; or you may receive an email to advise you that the information you provided could not be validated. If this is the case you will be asked to double check that you meet all eligibility criteria and, once you are sure that you do, to email to reconfirm your details.
Only one grant can be awarded per registered service; if more than one childminder works under a single registration, only one application should be made.
Read the Provider Update
Read the Application FAQs here
Information for Large Childminding Settings
Large childminding settings (registered for 12 or more children) are eligible to apply for both the Temporary Restrictions Fund (TRF) and the Childminding Business Sustainability Fund.
Larger childminding settings are still subject to restrictions up until 15 March and are therefore eligible to apply for Round 2 of the TRF for the period 1-26 February. Round 2 opened on Friday 5 March, and full details can be found
here.