West Sussex Early Years and Childcare Providers: Contain Outbreak Management Fund (Round 2)

Earlier this year, West Sussex County Council secured £500,000 to support Free Entitlement (FE) Providers with the challenges of operating during the COVID-19 pandemic.

We are delighted to announce that WSCC have now secured an additional £100,000 for Out of School Clubs, Holiday Playschemes and Childminders who do not offer FE places. 

This is a temporary package of financial support in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, taken from the West Sussex Contain Outbreak Management Fund (COMF).

What is the grant for?

The grant aims to help address the increased costs of running your setting due to the pandemic. This includes ensuring your premises are safe for children and staff, whilst continuing to offer high quality care and learning in these exceptional times. 

We are aware that this funding will not be able to cover every aspect of the impact of the pandemic on your business. Any award will be a contribution towards supporting the future sustainability of the early years and childcare sector.

Possible uses for the grant could include, but are not limited to: 

• Cleaning supplies/deep cleaning of the childcare environment;
• Purchase of supplies and resources where a risk of cross-contamination exists;
• To support with any additional costs that have been incurred as a direct result of the pandemic.

The grant cannot be used to:

• increase payments to staff members who are furloughed; 
• offer financial support where a provider is fully or partially closed, against the current government guidance; 
• support with additional costs that are not a direct result of the pandemic;  
• cover the financial costs of something you have received financial support from the government for already.

To see full details of the grant please click this link: WS Early Years & Childcare Providers COMF