Funding to Support Business Sustainability
21 January 2021
SNP MSP for the Angus South Constituency, Graeme Dey, has welcomed the Scottish Government’s announcement of £1 million in funding for childminders financially impacted by the pandemic.
Grants of up to £1,000 each will be made to eligible childminding providers, and work is now underway with the Scottish Childminding Association (SCMA) to finalise the details of the scheme. Further information on how to apply will be published shortly.
Alongside the funding a new Childminding Action Plan has been published, setting out the Scottish Government’s vision for the sector and the actions being taken to support it now and into the future. These include:
- development of flexible, tailored learning models to better support childminders’ access to continued professional learning
- research into trends within the childminding workforce, to better inform future actions in support of the sector’s growth
- collaborative work across the sector on ways to better enable participation of childminders in the provision of funded early learning and childcare (ELC) entitlement
Commenting, Mr Dey said:
“Both the financial support and Action Plan announced are important steps by this Scottish Government.
“The plan should indicate the value placed on childminders as a critical part of the ELC sector – providers of quality care and education in safe, nurturing environments.
“And I know that childminders here in Angus and across Scotland, like other childcare providers, have faced financial pressures over the past year.
“With some having raised genuine concerns about the future sustainability of their businesses, I am pleased that these grants will go some way in helping at this tough time.”
Grants of £500, £750 or £1,000 will be available, based on assessed need.
Information about support for the childcare sector
