childcarebusinessgrants@ecorys.com

0207 444 4268

The Childcare Business Grants Scheme is now open

to newly registered early years childminders,

childcare providers on domestic premises and

Childminder Agencies (CMAs) in England

About the scheme

There are three types of grants available.

A £500 grant for an early years childminder or childcare provider on domestic premises

A £1,000 grant for an early years childminder or childcare provider on domestic premises of children with special educational needs and disability (SEN/D)

A £1,000 grant for a Childminder Agency (CMA).

The scheme is only open to newly registered businesses. These are those which have been registered with Ofsted or a CMA within the last 12 months. From 1 May 2017, a newly registered business will be one registered with Ofsted or a CMA within the last 3 months.

The Childcare Business Grants Scheme is funded by the Department for Education. There is a fixed amount of funding available. The scheme is due to end by 31 March 2018, or sooner if all funds have been exhausted

Eligibility requirements

In order to be eligible for this grant you must:

Be a childminder or childcare provider on domestic premises or a Childminder Agency operating in England

Be registered with Ofsted or a CMA on the Early Years Register and be able to provide a copy of your registration certificate

Be a NEW business – either have started trading within 12 months of the registration date on your Ofsted/CMA certificate (will reduce to 3 months from 1st May) or due to start within the next 6 months

Plan to offer the 30 hours funded childcare entitlement for 3- and 4-year-olds yourself or in partnership if you are a childminder or childcare provider on domestic premises

Directly encourage and support your registered childminders or providers to offer the 30 hours funded childcare entitlement, either themselves or in partnership with other providers if you are a Childminder Agency

Spend the grant on costs directly related to setting up your childminding business and retain proof of how you have spent the grant

Not have received a grant under the Childcare Business Grants scheme before unless you are now applying as a CMA

Not be a private nursery, after school club or other type of provider

Register and apply

In order to apply for the grant you must first register online to create an account. This is quick and easy to do. In your account you can then complete and submit your application online and keep up to date on the progress of your application.

In order to apply for the grant you should have an electronic version or of your Ofsted/CMA certificate to hand. You cannot submit your application without it.

Before applying we recommend you have a look at our Help section to double check you are eligible for the scheme and you have all the right information before you start.

Already have an account?

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We also offer a hard copy of the application form if you wish to apply by post (but bear in mind this may delay your application). In order to apply for the grant by post you should have a photocopy of your Ofsted/CMA certificate to hand. Your application will not be processed without it.

You can download and print the relevant application form below.

Childcare Business Grant Application Form Childminder.pdf

Childcare Business Grant Application Form CMA.pdf

To help you complete the application form we have created guidance to take you through the form step by step. You can download the guidance below.

Have questions? Please find below our latest Frequently Asked Questions.

Application Guidance Childminder.pdf

Application Guidance CMA.pdf

Frequently Asked Questions.pdf

Audits

If you receive a standard (£500) grant your claim may be selected for a post-payment audit.

If you receive a grant for working with children with SEN/D or setting up a CMA (£1,000) then you will be audited.

You will be notified of your audit within 12 months of your grant payment. We will require copies of your receipts and records which demonstrate the expenditure you incurred in getting registered with Ofsted or a CMA. You should keep all of this evidence for at least 12 months of your grant being paid to you.

Examples of eligible expenditure for a childminder and childcare provider on domestic premises may include:

Training costs

Health check costs

Disclosure and Barring Service costs

Ofsted/CMA registration costs

Equipment costs

Other associated costs

Examples of eligible expenditure for a CMA may include:

Registration

Training

The process of establishing the business

Marketing / recruitment of childminders

Advertising to parents

If selected for audit, further details will be sent at the time via email requesting evidence of your expenditure. Failure to provide sufficient evidence may result in the Department for Education requiring you to repay your grant

Contact us

Please check the Help section for the answer to your question.

If you still haven't found what you are looking for you can contact us at childcarebusinessgrants@ecorys.com

Alternatively call us on 0207 444 4268.

Please note that the helpline is open weekdays 9.30am - 5pm excluding Bank Holidays.

Postal applications should be sent to:

Childcare Business Grants Scheme, Ecorys UK, 5th Floor, Queen Elizabeth House, 4 St Dunstan’s Hill, London, EC3R 8AD