In a speech today, women and equalities minister Maria Miller will say that from April 2013 £2m will be available to support up to 6,000 new childcare businesses.
The money is expected to be used to help pay for legal and insurance costs, health and safety training, equipment and for example for childminders to adapt their homes.
A childminder would be eligible to apply for £250 and £500 will be on offer for larger businesses caring for more than six children, which the Department for Culture, Media and Sport said could help to pay towards the deposit on a new premises.
Although the drive behind the announcement is to encourage more women back into the workforce to drive economic growth, and boost the number of childcare places, a spokesperson from the DCMS confirmed that men would also be able to apply for the start-up funding.
Specially tailored start-up advice and support, including mentoring, will also be available through the Government’s Business in You scheme.
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