Childcare Support Fund - second application window
Scottish Government
Award
£250k – £1m
Total fund Up to £15m
Deadline
Closes in 9 days (1 September 2026)
Where
Scotland
Summary
When we opened the Childcare Support Fund for applications, we said that we would offer another opportunity to apply if possible. We are pleased to be able to reopen the fund for applications from 11am Tuesday 18 August 2026 in order to allocate the remaining funding. This application period will run for 2 weeks, closing midnight Tuesday 01 September 2026. You are still eligible to send a new application if your application was rejected for the first round of applications. This grant funds short-term, flexible childcare through registered childcare providers, to support low income families living in, or at risk of, poverty at key times when childcare costs create financial pressure or are a barrier to employment, training or learning.
Who can apply
You can apply if you are: based in or delivering services in Scotland a third sector organisation. This includes voluntary and community organisations (both registered charities and other organisations or associations who are incorporated or accredited by the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator), social enterprises, mutuals and co‑operatives a partnership of third sector organisations (see partnership requirements below) Funding can be used for: paying a childcare provider who is registered with the Care Inspectorate, for services provided to families who are participating in this project. This payment will result in a subsidised or fully funded place for a child some staff costs, including those required to engage and support families, agree childcare requirements, and co-ordinate provision of and payment for childcare services other reasonable project delivery and equipment costs Funding cannot be used for: costs not linked to delivering the childcare support funding project payments made directly to parents or carers payments made to services which are not registered with the Care Inspectorate capital works, including building or refurbishment projects recoverable VAT All funding must be spent by: 31 March 2027 If two or more organisations are submitting a joint application: this is a partnership arrangement the partnership as a whole must meet the eligibility criteria there must be a lead organisation who will be responsible for overall grant management and compliance all partner organisations must be fully involved in and aware of the application roles, responsibilities and accountability must be set out in a partnership agreement
Full details
The Childcare Support Fund is a £15 million, single-year grant for 2026/27 designed to support low income families who are living in poverty or at risk of living in poverty by helping them manage the cost of childcare and reduce financial pressures at key times. The Fund contributes to the drivers of child poverty reduction set out in the Tackling Child Poverty Delivery Plan, in particular increasing earned incomes, reducing costs of living, and supporting children and families to thrive. It also supports participation in education and training, with potential wider benefits including supporting access to work. Funding will be used to fund flexible, short-term childcare through registered childcare providers at key points of transition or challenge. This includes circumstances such as disruptions to existing childcare arrangements, changes in working or family circumstances, or where support is needed to access education or training. The Fund focuses on families most at risk of poverty, including priority family groups identified in the Tackling Child Poverty Delivery Plan, and aims to address gaps in the affordability, availability and flexibility of childcare.