Scottish Government launches childcare support fund for services hit by pandemic
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CHILDCARE services in Scotland can now apply for financial support from a new government grant.
The Scottish Government have launched the Childcare Sector Omicron Impacts Fund which allows childcare services around the country to apply for grants of up to £4,500, to help mitigate financial losses caused by the pandemic.
Jane Brumpton, Chief Executive of Early Years Scotland said:
“We welcome the launch of this new Childcare Sector Omicron Impacts Fund that can be accessed by the wide range of childcare services across Scotland that support our youngest children.
“Over the course of the pandemic, staff and managers in early learning and childcare, childminding and school-aged childcare services have worked tirelessly to offer high-quality services for children and families, despite facing ongoing financial and workforce pressures.
“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 £9.8million in funding is open to childminders and private and third sector day care services who have been registered with the Care Inspectorate from 31 December 2021 and includes early learning and childcare settings, alongside school–aged childcare services.
Those eligible can apply from March 8 and grant amounts will vary according to the registered size of each service, ranging from £950 to £4,500.
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.”
