Funding for Childcare Courses and Training
Accessing Funding: An Introduction
If you live and work in Poole or work in a Poole setting you may be entitled to help towards all or part of the costs of a qualification course. To access this funding you need to contact the Training college/provider of your chosen course and obtain the Training and Funding Information Pack. Alternatively, contact the Training and Recruitment Team for a copy.
The courses you may be eligible to apply for are:
- Early Years and Playwork, Levels 2, 3, and 4.
- Childminding; Diploma in Home-based Childcare.
- NVQ Assessor Training.
- APEL Training.
- Foundation Degree.
Access to funding for qualification training: the criteria
Applications will be dealt with when received. Decisions on funding are based on the following criteria:
- Recruitment and training needs identified for new provision.
- Identified Qualification and Course requests of settings.
Priority funding will be allocated to meet identified targets.This includes the following qualifications:
- Playwork (all levels).
- Early Education/Childcare (level 2 and 3 courses).
- Foundation Degrees (first year only).
- Level 4 qualifications.
The Process
The funding criteria is outlined in the Training Funding and Information Pack. A Funding Application form can be found in the pack. The Funding Application Form should be signed by the student and the training provider and returned to the Training and Recruitment Team. Submission of an application form does not guarantee funding. All applications will be considered. Training providers and students will be notified of the outcome as soon as possible.
Conditions of acceptance and accountability
As a student, you must be aware that should you fail to complete the course a refund of the funded amount must be paid back to the Training and Recruitment Team.
Once funding is offered, you will be expected to sign an agreement return. Funding is not released until the agreement form is returned. Training providers must notify us if you withdraw from a course, stating the reason given.
Training Providers must keep records of your attendance and successful completion of course, providing the Localities and Childcare Team with copies of your registration forms and completion certificates for audit purposes.
The amount of funding you may get towards qualifications training
There is a maximum amount of funding you may expect to receive, depending on the cost and nature of the course.
Funding for Early Years, Childcare and Playwork Qualifications is as follows:
- Level 1: £35
- Level 2: £500
- Level 3: £850
- Level 4: £1,000
- Level 5 Foundation Degree (3 year course): £900 per year.
- Level 5 Foundation Degree (2 year course): £1,350 per year.
- Level 5 Foundation Degree (Open University Modules): Full cost of module (funding capped at £2,700 for the full qualification).
Applicants for the Early Years Foundation Degree will need to reapply for funding each year. Funding beyond August 2008 will not be guaranteed.
Funding for Childminding Qualifications is as follows:
- Unit 1 of the Diploma in Home-Based Childcare: £90
- Level 3 Diploma in Home-Based Childcare: £850 for the complete qualification.
- Funding for Assessor/Verifier Qualifications is £300.
- The above funding is limited and a maximum number for each level exisits. For more details you should contact the Training and Recruitment Team.
Access to funding for short course training
A range of Short Course Training sessions and professional development activities are offered throughout the academic year. The training sessions provide an underpinning knowledge of NVQ Level 2 and 3 qualifications. The Poole Sure Start Training Directory provides you with a brief description of these sessions, held at various times of the day and during the early evening at venues across Poole. The Training Directory is sent to settings and childminders termly. To apply for a course you will need to complete a Training Application Form. Priority is given to a setting where there is a need for a qualified member of staff to fulfil its obligations under the terms of National Standards.
Childminder start-up grants
Start-up grants are available from the Borough up to a maximum of £300 to assist new childminders. Grants can be used for training and equipment.
External funding possibilities
The Local Network Fund (for children and young people) is part of the Community Foundation. It aims to support small voluntary and community groups working with disadvantaged children and young people. Grants are can be from £250 to £7,000 and are expected to be available until 2006. For further information and an application pack call 0845 113 0161 or contact the Community Foundation on 01202 720 347.
Awards for All 
: This is a programme to fund small groups who would like to apply for grants of between £500 and £5,000. It is thought that these figures will be wider spread with effect from March 2005 with a maximum of £10,000. The application process is straightforward. Awards are given to voluntary and community organisations for work that brings communities together and enables people to take part in local activities. For further information and an application form call 0845 600 2040.
Other national grant makers
Abbey National Charitable Trust: Poole is not listed as a focus area for assistance but the trust aims to help charities in the communities’ local to their branches with priorities to: equality of opportunity, training and employment for disadvantaged groups. Contact your local branch for information.
Co-op Community Dividend scheme : the scheme is aimed at helping communities to help themselves by supporting local groups committed to enhancing community life with grants. Applicants must be a corporate body acting in line with the co-operative values. Awards range from £100 to £5,000 and can be used to support childcare providers. For more details log on to or talk to your local large Co-op store.
Lloyds Pharmacy Charitable Trust : This fund will consider requests from registered charities concerned with health, well-being, children and families and community projects. You can contact the Trust on 02476-432-400.
Lloyds TSB Foundation : Will support childcare providers with both capital and revenue funding which are registered charities, especially those which are working with children who are disadvantaged or disabled. For further information contact 020-7398-1705.
Small Firms Loan Guarantee Scheme:This scheme guarantees loans for amounts between £5,000 and £100,000 for new ventures or £250,000 for businesses established for more than 2 years. This money from banks is for small firms that have viable business plans but have failed to get a conventional loan because of a lack of security. Developing childcare provision is an eligible activity. Contact your local high street bank or SBS Loan Guarantee Unit on 0845-001-0032/3.
The Prince’s Trust 
: Awards up to £15,000 are available to groups wanting to develop projects which benefit the local community or environment, guide others, use new technology to improve lives or to promote positive use of leisure time. Funding and support to help 18-30 year olds start their own business with grants up to £3,000, low interest loans up to £5,000 plus a volunteer Business Mentor.
The Southwest Foundation: The only grant applicable to the Borough of Poole is their “Solid Foundations Programme” that offers grants between £50 and £10,000 up to June 2005. A decision is usually made within 3 weeks of the application. This fund is to help those disadvantaged and working less than 16 hours per week to start their own business or return to full time employment. You can contact them on 0117-968-0111.
Directgov