Apply for support from the DfE Childminder Mentor programme

Would you welcome some support to further develop your childminding practice?

The Department for Education (DfE) is offering a programme of support for childminders across England, from May 2023 until July 2024. The Childminder mentor programme is focused on supporting childminders to address the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the youngest and most disadvantaged children.

By joining this programme, you will receive support from experienced early years practitioners who have at least three years' experience as a childminder or supporting childminders, in the roles of Area Lead and Mentor.

The support is free and available across England.

You will also have the opportunity to network with other childminders in your area who are part of the programme and also the Department for education, local authorities and other early years providers.

To be eligible to receive support from the DfE Childminder Mentor programme, childminders must currently be providing childcare to children aged between 0-5 (to at least one child).

We are the DfE’s delivery partner

Hempsall’s is here to manage the recruitment of Area Leads and Mentors, including the application assessment and interviews, and to match them to childminders to support.

How to apply for support

We are currently looking for childminders who are interested in receiving support from May 2023 for the summer term 2023.

If you are interested in receiving support, please complete the form linked here by 17 February 2023.

You can apply for support as an individual, or with other childminders as part of a small group (of up to 4 people).

Please read the document here for more information on the programme, including the amount of support on offer and the main aims of the programme.

Further information

You will be notified if you have been selected to receive support for the summer term by the end of March 2023.

If you are not selected for the summer term, there may be further opportunities to receive support later in the programme.

Any enquiries should be sent to childminders@hempsalls.com

How we will use your data

Your application will be sent to Hempsall’s. We may notify your local authority that you have applied for the programme and, with your permission, share the information you have provided with them.

Your data is protected under the DfE privacy notice for the programme, please click here