Somerset County Council is hoping to tackle a shortage of childminders in the county by offering cash grants to people starting an early years business.
The local authority is offering a ‘golden hello’ of £250 to new childcare companies that have government-funded places.
The council said it would also provide training to newly registered childminders, supporting them through Ofsted registration and afterwards.
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According to latest data, the number of registered childminders in Somerset has fallen by more than 31% since September 2015.
Councillor Frances Nicholson, cabinet member for children and families, said: “The pandemic has had an impact on us all and made many people re-evaluate what is important to them.
“Becoming a professional childminder may be the ideal opportunity for some. I would encourage anyone who loves children and wants to give them the best start in life, while also working flexibly from their own home, to take advantage of this scheme and the county council support that is on offer.”
Emma Stradling, who lives on a farm in Cossington, around five miles north of Bridgwater, set up Millmoot’s Little Boots childcare in February 2020.
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She said: "Childminding gives me the flexibility to care for others while also looking after my own children. I love that every day is different, and every child is different with their own unique personality and needs.”
The council is running two online sessions for anyone interested in the opportunity on Thursday, June 24, between 10am and 10.30am, and Wednesday, July 21, between 6.30pm and 7pm.
The grant is available to childcare businesses which apply before February 28, 2022.
To find out more, visit somerset.gov.uk/registerasachildminder