Nursery World - Childminders' hardship fund

Up to 10,000 registered childminders working in deprived parts of England are to receive temporary grants of up to 100 a week to help them through periods of financial difficulty. The Government is to spend 3.5m, some of which is from the European Social Fund, over two years on bridging grants over a five-week period for childminders in deprived areas. They can apply for the grant only twice in any 12-month period.

The Government is to spend 3.5m, some of which is from the European Social Fund, over two years on bridging grants over a five-week period for childminders in deprived areas. They can apply for the grant only twice in any 12-month period.

The grant will be distributed through local Early Years Development and Childcare Partnerships after a childminder in a disadvantaged area has had an unfilled place for more than two weeks. The amount they receive will be equivalent to up to 80 per cent of the average local payment per childminding place, up to a 100 per week maximum.

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