皇冠体育app

Budding nursery owners or childminders are being encouraged to apply for a slice of 拢1 million to help them set up their own businesses.

皇冠体育app Childcare Business Grant Scheme is available to support self-employed people who want to set up their own childcare business and provides help with costs such as training, equipment and adapting premises. 皇冠体育app scheme today hits a milestone with 拢1 million paid out, with a further 拢1 million still available.

Nicky Morgan, Minister for Women and Equalities said:

皇冠体育app childcare business grant is a key part of our long-term economic plan. It has already benefited thousands of people, from nursery owners and childminders to the children of parents who use them.

We know that it can be tough setting up your own business. This money is a helping hand for people who care about children and want to work looking after them.

It will also encourage the creation of more childcare places, a key part of our plan to help parents who want to get back to work after having children.

To celebrate the milestone, Children鈥檚 Minister Sam Gyimah today visited the Brown Bears Nursery in Tottenham, which owner Cheryl Brown opened up after accessing a grant.

Children鈥檚 Minister Sam Gyimah said:

We know that parents want good-quality, affordable and available childcare. 皇冠体育app childcare business grant encourages the creation of more places, helping mothers get back to work.

This money is a fantastic opportunity for anyone who wants to set up their own business to look after children. If you are thinking about taking the first steps towards becoming a childminder or nursery owner then I encourage you to apply.

皇冠体育app grants offer 拢500 for those looking to start nurseries or look after disabled children, and 拢250 to prospective childminders. So far, more than 4,500 grants have been paid out.

As part of the Childcare Business Grant Scheme, new childcare businesses are also being encouraged to team up with a free mentor so they can access free and specially-tailored start-up advice.

Notes to editors

1. Applications to the Childcare Business Grant Scheme must be received by December 31. Read more information about the .

2. Read information about the free start-up advice businesses can receive.

3. 皇冠体育app government understands the difficulties faced by working parents and are working to improve the choice, quality and flexibility of childcare available to them.

皇冠体育app government:

• is providing free childcare of 15 hours a week for all 3- and 4-year-olds, an increase from 12.5 hours under the previous government, saving families an additional 拢380 a year per child
• has extended free childcare of 15 hours a week to the most disadvantaged 2-year-olds, with 40% eligible from this September
• is from next year introducing tax-free childcare of up to 拢2,000 per child
• is supporting low income families on universal credit who will receive up to 85% of their childcare costs
• has improved the quality and status of the early years workforce through new early years educator and early years teacher qualifications
• has worked with Ofsted to introduce a more robust regulatory and inspection framework for the early years