CM Club - applying for money

[RosieGirl]

After hearing on MN and from other places, that there is money available to help us implement the EYFS, I decided I would like some . I spoke to my local childrens centre (after an E-mail to several government agencies about where to apply for lots of cash) who told me to put together a proposal and they would consider it. Yipppeee I thought and dutifully put together a - quite frankly - brilliant folder with photos, I wanted to develop my outdoor area, veg patch, and lots of educational fun things and then detailed how it would be linked to all the different areas of the EYFS, the children it would benefit, my personal commitment to childminding etc etc..... I did ask for a lot (£700) hoping that I would at least get a couple of large items that I just can't afford. I applied about 4 weeks ago and was given a reply today telling me I can have £50. It cost me that much in time and printer ink for the proposal. I know I should be grateful - but I can't even put it towards something large as they want it back if and when I stop childminding, which if I do buy a playhouse, they can't have!!!!

Vent over.

p.s. anyone got any other ideas where to get any money (legally)

aw thats really poop I was lucky as i got £300 for the eyfs implementation thingy, but i have still spent 100%+ of my income on additional items over the last 6 months. My aim will be to put away 10% each month, to save for big items. That doesnt help in any way lol, sorry

Can you tell me what area's you are both in and who you wrote to to ask for the money? I'm in Surrey and haven't heard about this, but would love to apply for it,
Thanks.

I am in Sunderland, North East, I didnt write, it was offered to all childminders in our area by the childminding co ordinating team.

hth

I haven't been offered anything - I was fobbed off when I askes about it

asked

Elliea123, a lot of funding was given to Network childminders in Surrey and some is now coming to other CMs by way of the music instrument selection which we all were give (had to collect) in Jan - Mar. Then there will be a book distribution to CMs again in the summer sometime. Not sure if there will be anything else. Such a pity that different counties handle it (being the funds available to us from the government's Transformation Fund).

Not sure if there is anything else available so will keep watching this thread.

Ellie, do you know who to contact? if not give me your email address and i will email you the info.

Take it to your local parish council.... If you collar a local councillor to champion your idea before the next meeting then you will have a much better chance than standing up at the public speaking part. The PC can raise money under the Power of Wellbeing Legislation - applying for grants so your precept should not need to rise. Frankly £700 is not a lot of money and they can authorise anyting up to £1000 without having to have a council resolution ( although most PCs will raise it at a meeting).

You will need to emphisise the gain to the community in terms of economic, environmental and social well being, but from what you have said it fits all of those criteria.

If you have a mine in the area you can apply to the mine levy board - they generally have loads of money for projects like this.

Speak to your Parish Clerk - they are a font of local funding knowledge.

I thought about applying for a grant too, but decided it was just not worth the hassle and beurucracy. I hope you manage to get the money you ask for.

Ani - thats brilliant advice, thanks, my PC all know me as I live in a very small community and am known as THE local childcare, I had really set my sights on doing a brilliant outdoor area and it has just made me feel a bit down, they seem to push for us to do so much, but again are not being very supportive.

Thanks for the advice I'll give it another try.