Cash grants worth up to £500 are being offered to people who live in Newark and the wider Nottinghamshire area who want to start their own childcare business.

Launched in November 2012 by the Minister for Women and Equalities Maria Miller, the £2 million scheme aims to support over 6,000 new childcare businesses in England by helping people cover some of the set up and training costs, equipment, insurance and adaptations to premises that can otherwise be tough when you’re setting up a new business.

The scheme intends to have a double effect in both making sure there is more childcare available for women who want to go back to work whilst enabling others to set up their own business.

“Thousands of people have already applied for a grant but I want even more people to benefit,” said Mrs Miller.  “The Government is determined to help people who want to get on and realise their ambitions so I would urge anyone who is interested to apply as soon as possible to ensure they don’t miss out.”

One successful local applicant was Anneka Riley who received a cash grant in October 2013 and is now running her own child minding business, Anneka’s Angels, in Newark.  Anneka operates on a 24/7 365 day basis and has experience with autism, Asperger’s, learning difficulties and challenging behaviour.

“The application process was very straightforward and efficient,” she says. “I received the money really quickly which enabled me to get started straight away. I would recommend the scheme to anybody who is setting up a new child minding or nursery business, as it really does help and it takes some of the stress away.”

Grants will be either £250 for individual childminders or £500 for larger childcare businesses. £250 will in many cases cover the training, mandatory safety checks and liability insurance for a childminder. For larger businesses (more than six children), £500 could help pay for a deposit on a new premises.

Visit childcarebusinessgrants.dcms.gov.uk for more information and to find out how to apply for a grant.