The Department for Education has launched the Childcare Business Grant Scheme. Its purpose is to help new Childminders and Childminder Agencies (CMA) to enter the childcare market. The scheme will award one-off start-up grants of either £500 or £1000 to support with the set up costs of new childminding businesses. Further information and details on how to apply can be found here: www.childcarebusinessgrants.com/