Childcare Support Fund
Scottish Government
What it funds
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 als
Who can apply
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) What funding can be used for You can use funding 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 What funding cannot be used for You cannot use funding 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 Capi
How to apply
Apply for this grant by 9 July 2026 by clicking on start a new aplication above. You will need to register to apply. Before you apply, read the full guidance. If you need help, contact schoolagechildcare@gov.scot. We will let you know the outcome within four weeks of the closing date.
Last checked against the official source: 3 Jul 2026. Scheme parameters are set by the funder and can change — verify before applying, or let us do it for you.
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