Childcare Support Fund

Brief Summary: The Childcare Support Fund provides financial support to eligible families to help access childcare by reducing financial barriers. Funding can be used to pay for short-term, flexible childcare through Care Inspectorate registered ELC providers.

Closing Date: 31/03/2027

The Childcare Support Fund may be able to help with the cost of additional childcare to support employment, training, education, or a child’s additional support needs.

Completing this application should take approximately 5–10 minutes.

Before you begin, please have the following information available:

• Your contact details

• Your childcare provider’s details

• Information about any childcare funding you currently receive

• Details of the additional childcare support you require

Please ensure

Your childcare provider has a space available to facilitate your application.

You can still apply if your child is not currently enrolled with an early learning and childcare (ELC) provider. However, any funding awarded can only be paid directly to a Care Inspectorate-registered provider, and a suitable place must be available with them. If you need help finding and arranging a place, please contact the EYS helpline with your enquiry or visit your local authority’s early years webpage or use the Care Inspectorate’s Find Care service.

APPLY HERE: https://earlyyearsscotland.org/childcare-support-fund-application/