Small business set up/start up grants?

Sophie_Brown

Good morning.

I have just paid for and started doing the EYFS childminding course.
The initial total cost of setting up a childminding business including the cost of the course, toys, equipment and making adjustments to a home setting is approximately £1,500. The time between starting registration and being accepted by Ofsted is approximately 6 months, then comes the advertising costs and the wait for paying customers.

My husband works and we do not receive any benefits. I am not working as I choose to be a stay at home mum 3 years ago.

Is there any funding available for setting up small businesses in the UK and or help towards the cost of training courses? Could I claim job seakers allowance whilst I am actively looking for children to mind bearing in mind I left work after my maternity period ended just over 2 years ago. I have asked my local council and they said there is funding available but I will have to find it! Im having no such luck.

With having a mortgage to pay, I don't want to be in a situation where I am having to abandon the Childminding business in favour of returning back to employment, purely on financial grounds.

Thank you.

jackyann

Which part of the council did you ask? I would definitely ask the Early Years advisor and ask at the local Children's Centre (they won't know, but should direct you)
I would definitely contact the National Childminders' Association