The Childcare Support Fund is a £15 million, single-year grant for 2026 to 2027 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.

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
• capital works, including building or refurbishment projects
• recoverable VAT

Partnership applications

If two or more organisations are submitting a joint application:

• they should specify this is a joint application
• 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
• plans for partnership working and collaboration must be clearly described