Childminder Start-up Grant
The grant is made available with funding from the Department of Education and Skills and is specifically designed to help prospective Childminders over the threshold into childminding. In Southampton the Grant is available to prospective childminders awaiting registration who will be childminding in the areas identified by the Early Years Development & Childcare Partnership as being in need of new childminding places. The grant may be applied for to use as a contribution towards the following areas: - Childminding Introductory Course
- OfSTED Registration Fee
- Books
- Fire Blanket
- Stationery
- Medical Fee (if required)
- Insurance
- First Aid Course Contribution
Other Information - The funding is limited so will not cover all start up costs incurred.
- RECEIPTS FOR EACH ITEM PURCHASED WITH THE GRANT MUST BE FORWARDED WITH THE APPLICATION.
- Any Childminder receiving the grant and ceasing to be a childminder within twelve months of registration will be required to repay some or all of the grant received.
- The grant form will only be considered if submitted within first 6 months after registration.
What do you do next?
If you are interested in registering to become a childminder you will need to attend a FREE, Pre-Registration Information and Briefing Session. The briefing will give you all the information that you will need to help you decide if childminding is for you. The session will include advice on how to register with OfSTED including how to fill out your application form and information on what help and support you will receive.
Click here to find out when the next Briefing Session is and to book a place. If you decide, having attended the Briefing Session, that you want to become a childminder, you will then need to attend an introductory course. This runs over approximately 5 to 10 weeks. Courses are held during the evening and on Saturdays. In Southampton, there are two introductory courses available, both of which are free to attend: Introducing Childminding Practice run by the National Childminding Association
Skills for Professional Childminding Practice run by the Southampton Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership. Click here to find out more about these and other courses.
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