The Childminder Start-up Grant Scheme
The Scheme will support new childminders by providing them with grant funding, worth £7.2m over the next two financial years, helping childminders with the cost of setting up their own businesses.
The Childminder Start-up Grants Scheme will be available to all new childminders who have completed their registration on or after 15th March 2023.
Eligibility Criteria and Application Process:
- you must have commenced your childminding journey after 15 March 2023.
- operate as childminders in England
- have completed Ofsted or childminder agency registration before applying for the grant.
Individuals who have previously been registered as childminders and wish to re-register into the sector may also apply for the scheme. There must be at least a 12-month gap between the date of their previous registration being cancelled and their new registration being finalised.
Grant Amounts and Payment Structure:
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).
Application Deadlines:
There are two deadlines for applications, depending on when you registered:
- 31 January 2024, for those who registered between 15 March and 31 July 2023.
- 29 February 2024, for those who registered between 1 August and 31 December 2023.
Administration and Application Process:
Administered by Ecorys, the Childminder Start-Up Grants Scheme’s application process is facilitated through the AIMS platform. Childminders can access the application website and set up an account to initiate the process. Once registered, a range of guidance documents is available on the AIMS website
Useful Links:
