Department of Education (Via Early Years): Covid Related Temporary Closure Fund (Phase 4 Support - 1 April 2021 - 30 September 2021)

Overview

The objectives of the COVID-19 Related Temporary Closure Fund

• To provide a financial contribution to childcare providers who have temporarily closed (fully or partial/pod closure in the case of a setting) due to a COVID-19 positive case of a child or staff in the setting which impacted on provision or cannot operate due to staff: child ratios.
• By providing a financial contribution, to enable childcare providers to suspend parent’s fees for childcare during a period of a COVID-19 temporary closure.
• To provide access to financial support through the development of a simple, easy to use application process which facilitates a prompt payment.

Eligibility

Only providers who have been operational during the period 1 April 2021 to 30 September 2021 are eligible for this funding support. The start of the temporary closure period must have been between 1 April 2021 to 30 September 2021 to receive payment from this funding scheme.

The following childcare providers are eligible for support under this scheme:

• Registered childcare providers who have re-opened following a temporary closure due to a COVID-19 positive case of either staff/childminder or child in their setting/home which has resulted in the provider fully closing or (in the case of a setting) a pod closing;
• Childminders may be eligible to apply for this fund if they are in close contact with someone who has tested positive or is awaiting the result of a COVID-19 test and they cannot adhere to the Department of Health Guidelines through this period. Evidence will be required from the PHA outlining the reasons for closure.
• Registered childcare providers who have re-opened following a temporary closure (a pod(s) or entire setting closing) due to their inability to comply with staff: child ratios due to staff being required to self-isolate as advised by PHA;
• Funding will only be payable to registered childcare providers who declare on their application form that they have not charged or have refunded parents’ fees for the period of the closure, before making an application, and are adhering to the latest Department of Health COVID-19 guidance for childcare.

To be eligible for this fund, you must have had to temporarily close childcare provision fully, or in the case of a childcare setting, had to close a pod or pods due to: -

• A COVID-19 Positive case of a child or staff in the setting; or
• Been unable to comply with staff: child ratios due to staff self-isolating as directed by PHA.

Funding streams

Funding will be allocated to eligible providers based on the type and/or size of provision. This information is available/will be collected from the Family Support NI database.

The amount allocated per type and size of provider is available on the website.