Childcare organisations have until 17 November to apply for a share of Pounds 1.5m funding being provided over the next two years.
A new unified system should make it easier for groups to obtain funding.
Until now, voluntary childcare organisations had to apply through multiple channels, making the process complex and time-consuming.
Euan Robson, deputy minister for young people, said, 'In the past there have been several funding streams available to these organisations, which has meant that we have not always made funding decisions in a co-ordinated way. This new fund will allow us to reduce bureaucracy and ensure decisions are taken in a joined-up way.'
The Executive consulted on the proposals for the unified Children, Young People and Families Voluntary Sector Fund, with a number of organisations, including Sense Scotland, the Aberlour Trust, Positive Parenting, and the Scottish Children's Psychotherapy Trust.
The unified system was welcomed by Kelly Bayes, head of policy with Aberlour Trust, which supports children who are experiencing difficulties in family relationships, education, health or offending. She said, 'In the sense that the number of streams are pulling together, it makes it easier.
There are no silos anymore and it is more open and flexible. Innovation grants have been very specific in the past and we were having to adapt applications to fit. It was not always clear.'
However, Ms Bayes said that getting funding for new projects in the time allowed would be difficult. 'One of the problems is that they wanted submissions by 17 November, and we have just got this within the last week.
It is a very tight turn-around time, making it difficult for us in practical terms and also in thinking where this fits in our strategic planning. We need to discuss it with partners in local authorities.'
She said it was difficult to set up a new service by April, when funding comes on-stream, if the money was not confirmed until January. 'It can take us six months to set up a new service. This does not give us enough time.'
Joyce Wilson, deputy director of Sense Scotland, a charity that helps children with complex support needs and challenging behaviour, agreed that the timescale made things difficult for many in the voluntary sector. She said, 'Finding out that there is new money, but that you only have five weeks to apply for it will be hard.'
Ms Wilson welcomed the streamlining of the application process, because it would save Sense Scotland from having to resubmit data to more than one government body. She added that any new grant money would help those working with children across the education and health sectors.
'We do detailed work with disabled children and give guidance to others supporting those children, whether in the education or health sectors,' she said.
Ms Wilson also said the introduction of three-year grants would save time because money was previously awarded on a yearly basis. Making it clear that the grants now would supply capital would also make it easier for organisations to buy new equipment and adapt buildings, she added.
Voluntary organisations wanting application packs for funding projects should contact the Scottish Executive on 0131 244 02721.
