Childcare Sustainability Funding

Sheffield City Council - Early Years Education and Childcare Service (EYECS) has been allocated a potential fund, up to a maximum of £300,000 for 2008-09 available until 31 March 2009.  This is intended to meet the short-term sustainability needs of all eligible childcare providers across Sheffield.  There are currently over 400 childcare providers in the City who may be eligible to apply for Childcare Sustainability Funding.

 

Under the Childcare Act 2006 Local Authorities have a duty to secure quality affordable childcare for working parents and those making the transition into work where demand is practicable.

 

Government guidance also states that childcare needs to be self-sustainable.  Providers are encouraged to engage parents to supplement the cost of accessing childcare by exploring other funding streams available to subsidise the cost of childcare, such as Working Families Tax Credit (WFTC) – childcare element. Employer supported childcare, Care to Learn, Adult Learner Grant, New Deal for Lone Parents etc.

 

The funding is intended to provide short term financial assistance to childcare settings to overcome unforeseen financial pressures.  It is not expected to be an ongoing source of funding.  EYECS must be satisfied that the grant is necessary and will be effective in maintaining the viability of your business.

 

Sustainability funding can only be used to support providers to deliver childcare.  If an organisation has any interests other than delivering childcare then these cannot be resourced from this funding stream, and, if necessary alternative funding should be sought to support these activities.

 

The following OFSTED registered Childcare Providers from the voluntary, private and independent sectors can apply for funding:

 

 

Please note – Childminders are not eligible for Sustainability Funding.

 

The threshold for an application is a maximum of £25,000 per year.

 

Funding requests in excess of this amount are likely to fall outside the boundaries of short-term sustainability and will not be considered unless there are exceptional circumstances.

 

Funding should only be granted once per provider, per financial year (April to March).

 

Funding is awarded three times a year and applications should be submitted to EYECS by noon on the following dates (full details can be found in the Application Pack downloadable below):

 

21 July 2008

21 October 2008

21 January 2009

 

Yes, EYECS contract with a number of organisations that have significant knowledge of supporting grant application bids within the childcare sector.  They will be able to offer free advice and support to help you complete the application and also to quality check the application at the end of the process to ensure that it meets all of our requirements.

 

Failure to submit a complete bid may result in rejection or deferral of the bid, delaying the allocation of any funds.  EYECS recommend that you work with the support organisations to minimise this risk.

 

Full contact information for the organisations that can support you can be found in the Application Pack (see downloadable document below).

 

You will need to complete the Application Form, associated templates and supply supporting information.  Full details of the information required is available in the Application Pack. (All downloadable below)

 

 

Please download all of the information below for a complete Application Pack. This can be returned by emailing eyecs.contracts@sheffield.gov.uk.

 

Please contact the EYECS Business Development Assistant on 0114 281 1881.

 

Business Development Assistant

Early Years Education and Childcare Service

5th Floor, Cathedral Court,

1 Vicar Lane

SHEFFIELD

S1 1HD