If childminders are setting up in their own home, they are eligible for between £500 – £1000 from the Department for Education’s childcare business grant.

The grant is available until March 2018 or until it runs out. To access the grant, would-be childminders have to commit to providing the 30 hours per week free childcare provision for 3 and 4 year olds of working parents. The £1000 grant is only available to those childminders supporting children with special educational needs and / or disabilities.

Cllr. John Joseph Kelly, Cabinet Member for Children, Schools and Safeguarding said: “Since publicising the 30 hours free support for working parents, we have understandably received a lot of interest.

“It is important that we have the provision locally to provide this additional support, and childminders are set to play an important role, which has been recognised by the DfE.

“The start-up costs of becoming a childminder in the home can sometimes prove a barrier and there are hidden costs too, such as specialist training required by Ofsted. This grant will help to offset those and make it a more realistic vocation for anyone who wants to be childminder.

“I must stress that the grant may run out before March 2018, so do not waste any time contacting the Family Information Service at Sefton Council to find out more”

Sue Kirk, Quality Improvement Officer at Sefton Council’s School Readiness Service added:

“The grant from the DfE is a real benefit but it is worth adding that we provide new and existing childminders with a breadth of free support and advice to help them in their role.

“Over the years we have seen childminding have a huge impact on children’s lives and outcomes and know first hand what a rewarding job it is.If you are considering childminding, you will not go it alone, we will support you every step of the way”

Learn how you can become a childminder in Sefton, visit the Sefton Directory Childminding page or call Sefton’s Family Information Service on 0345 140 0845.