Apply for a childminder start-up grant
Eligible new childminders can apply for a start-up grant to recover the cost of registering as a childminder.
Applies to England
You may be able to get money to help with the cost of setting up as a childminder.
Childminder start-up grants provide eligible new childminders with a one-off payment. You do not have to pay the grant back.
Eligibility
You can apply for a start-up grant if you registered as a new childminder after 15 March 2023. You must:
- work as a childminder in England
- have completed your Ofsted or childminder agency registration before applying
This grant is for new childminders only. If you registered with Ofsted or a childminder agency before 15 March 2023 and you are still registered, you’re not eligible.
Nannies and nurseries are not eligible for a grant.
If you are not registered as a childminder, you can find out more about becoming a childminder.
Registered with Ofsted
If you’re registered with Ofsted, you must be listed as a childminder on either the:
- early years register
- general childcare register
Registered with a childminder agency
If you’re registered with a childminder agency, you must:
- hold a current registration to get your first payment
- have started childminding your first child within 6 months of your registration date to get your second payment
What you’ll get
You’ll get different amounts of money depending on which register you joined. The amounts reflect the different costs of registering.
If you registered with:
- Ofsted, you’ll get £600
- a childminder agency, you’ll get 2 payments totalling £1,200:
- £600 when you register
- £600 when you start childminding your first child
You can only receive one childminder start-up grant.
When to apply
If you registered on or after 1 January 2024, you must apply within two months of your registration date.
If you registered between 15 March and 31 December 2023, you should have applied by 29 February 2024.
How to apply
To apply, visit our delivery partner Ecorys’ application website.
You’ll need:
- your contact details
- your National Insurance number
- details of your registered work address (if different from your home address)
- proof of your registered work address, such as a utility bill or a letter from HMRC
- to know your local authority area
- your childminder registration number and registration date
- details of the bank account you want the grant paying into
- a copy of a bank statement showing your current address
Most childminders will find out if they can receive a grant within 2 weeks of submitting their application.
Help with your application
If you need help with your application, contact the Ecorys support team at childmindergrants@ecorys.com.
Last updated 5 March 2024 + show all updates
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Updated the 'When to apply' section with information about applying within two months of your registration date.
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First published.