Funding for Childminders: An Update

We continue to receive a number of enquiries about sources of funding to assist childminders. In answer to these questions:

Childminding Workforce Support Fund
On Friday afternoon we posted a short update about the Childminding Workforce Support Fund. This noted that we had received a very large number of applications and many more than we would be able to make awards to from within the size of the existing Fund.

It also noted that applicants who have been successful would be advised early this week. Emails will be sent out later today to those who have been successful.  If you have not been successful in the first group of awards, please do not be discouraged.

Given the very significant level of demand and evidence of need from childminders, SCMA is involved in discussions with the Scottish Government regarding the next steps and we hope to be able to confirm further funding shortly to enable more awards to be made. Applications already received, but which have not been successful will remain in the system as pending. The Fund remains paused to new applications for the time being. We will provide a further update about this as soon as we can.

Transitional Support Fund
Also on Friday, all childcare providers including childminders will have received details (via a Care Inspectorate Provider Update) of the Scottish Government’s £11.2m Transitional Support Fund to support the re-opening of childcare settings. A number of members have asked if childminders are eligible for the Transitional Support Fund.

Please note that the Transitional Support Fund is only aimed at the ‘Daycare of Children’s Services’. This is a term used to describe larger settings (nurseries and other Private, Voluntary & Independent (PVI) settings) and does not including childminding. The reason that the Transitional Support Fund is restricted to these larger settings is that it was recognised that the COVID-19 operating guidance which was developed to support their re-opening in Phase Three (from 15 July) had significant financial implications upon their settings (including physical adaptations and additional staffing).

As such, the Transitional Support Fund was developed to support these specific areas. Please be assured that childminding has not been excluded or forgotten about. Our needs are different and we continue to be in discussion with the Scottish Government about financial support for childminding through the next steps for the Childminding Workforce Support Fund.

Self-Employed Income Support Scheme  
As previously reported, the Chancellor’s scheme for the self-employed was extended. If you were eligible for the first grant and can confirm to HMRC that your business has been adversely affected on or after 14 July 2020, you’ll be able to make a claim for a second and final grant from 17 August 2020.

You can make a claim for the second and final grant if you’re eligible, even if you did not make  a claim for the first grant. The online service is not available yet. HMRC will contact you if you’re eligible.