Cash boost for Childcare services in Ayrshire

Childcare services in Ayrshire which were adversely affected by Omicron will be able to apply for grants of up to £4,500.

Nearly 5,800 services nationally could benefit from the new £9.8 million Childcare Sector Omicron Impacts Fund.

Registered childminders, as well as private and third sector children’s day care services can apply from 8 March. This includes early learning and childcare settings, and school–aged childcare services.

To date, the Scottish Government has made available around £35 million of dedicated financial support to childcare services during the pandemic.

Children’s Minister Clare Haughey said:  “The childcare sector was badly hit by Omicron - many settings experienced increased levels of staff and child absence, resulting in temporary loss of income.

“These one-off grants are aimed at helping providers to mitigate some of those acute financial challenges.

“I would like to thank childcare providers for their continued efforts to provide vital, high quality services to children and families during these most difficult of times.

“In doing so, they have helped to keep the whole country functioning. I am truly grateful for their commitment and dedication.”

Jane Brumpton, Chief Executive of Early Years Scotland said: “We welcome the launch of this new Childcare Sector Omicron Impacts Fund.

“This one-off grant will help to off-set some of the recent challenges experienced, and acknowledge the hard work and dedication provided by early learning and childcare staff nationally.”

The fund is open to childminders and private and third sector day care of children services who were registered with the Care Inspectorate on 31 December 2021.

Grant amounts vary according to the registered size of each service. Grants will range from £950 to £4,500.

Go to https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-business-funding/childcare-sector/childcare-sector-omicron-impacts-fund/ to find out more.