Childcare Support Fund - second application window

Funding supports flexible, short-term childcare through childcare providers registered with the Care Inspectorate for low-income families living in poverty or at risk of living in poverty, at key times of transition or challenge. This includes temporary disruptions to existing childcare arrangements; changes in work or family circumstances; a need to access training or other support; transitions between childcare providers or between term-time and holiday childcare; and relationship endings, bereavement, disability or illness. Funding can pay registered childcare providers for services to participating families, some staff costs to engage and support families, agree childcare requirements and co-ordinate provision and payment, and other reasonable project delivery and equipment costs. It cannot pay parents or carers directly, pay services not registered with the Care Inspectorate, fund capital works including building or refurbishment projects, or cover recoverable VAT.