Coronavirus: Scottish government launches £1m fund for childminders

Grants of £500, £750 or £1,000 will be available to eligible childminding providers, based on assessed need.

The Scottish Government is working with the Scottish Childminding Association (SCMA) to finalise the details of the scheme and said that more information on how to apply will be published ‘shortly’.

Meanwhile, alongside the funding, a new Childminding Action Plan has been published, setting out the Scottish Government’s vision for the sector and the actions to support it that are being taken now and into the future.

These include:

Children’s Minister Maree Todd said, ‘Childminders are a vital and valued part of our childcare sector, providing high quality care and learning in a safe and nurturing environment.

‘Just as many other childcare providers have experienced financial pressures as a result of the pandemic and the restrictions that have been placed on them, childminders too have raised genuine concern about the future sustainability of their businesses.

‘I’m pleased that we can today publish our vision for the profession, and hope that on top of the previous financial support we’ve made available, these further grants will provide additional help during these very difficult times.’

Graeme McAlister, chief executive, SCMA, said, ‘Covid-19 has had a very significant adverse effect on childminding in Scotland. As such, we very much welcome the announcement of £1m of financial support from the Scottish Government for childminding to support business sustainability. This is something that we have been advocating for on behalf of childminders throughout Scotland over a sustained period of months.