Support for childcare sector

Funding of £11.2m is being made available to support childcare providers with the cost of safely reopening.

The new Transitional Support Fund will help childcare providers in the private and third sectors, including out-of-school care providers, meet extra costs incurred to comply with public health guidance in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The grants are expected to help with costs for:

• increased cleaning
• investment in additional equipment and developing outdoor space to enable more outdoor learning
• adaptations to support the physical distancing of adults, such as changes to entrance and exit areas and additional signage

Deputy First Minister John Swinney said:

“Scotland’s childcare sector has been working extremely hard to ensure measures are in place to give staff and parents confidence ahead of their safe reopening.

“Indeed many have been operating in this way over the past months as they provide essential high-quality care for the children of key workers, and I give them my warmest thanks for doing so.

“However, taking these steps has resulted in extra costs for childcare providers, at a time when their income has also reduced. I am very pleased that, through this new fund, we can support them through these unprecedented times.”

Background

More information as to how providers can access the Transitional Support Fund will be available by 31 July.

Grants will be available to all private and third sector childcare providers, not just those delivering funded early learning and childcare.

Grant amounts will vary according to the size of the childcare setting and will be based on Care Inspectorate registered capacity.