Distribution of Funding to Support Services for Children and Families ECSPB
Renfrewshire Council · 12 March 2026
Back to Education and Children's Services Policy Board — 12 March 2026 and its agenda
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P a g e 1 | 7 To: Education and Children’s Services Policy Board On: 12 March 2026 ___________________________________________________________________ Report by: Director of Children’s Services ___________________________________________________________________ Heading: Distribution of Funding to Support Services for Children and Families – Funding Allocation for 2026/27 ___________________________________________________________________ 1. Summary 1.1. Renfrewshire Council is committed to supporting the independent sector’s contribution to early years provision in the Renfrewshire Council area, through the allocation of funding to support a range of private and voluntary sector organisations which deliver services for families with young children. 1.2. This report provides information on the proposed allocation of funding during 2026/27 to out of school care groups in the private and voluntary sector and for early years voluntary sector organisations, playgroups and toddler groups. 1.3. Acceptance of the recommendations contained within the report will result in £83,015 disbursed grant funding to private and voluntary sector organisations. ___________________________________________________________________ 2. Recommendations 2.1. The Education and Children’s Services Policy Board is asked to: i. approve the grant funding to support the delivery of services for children and young people as outlined in appendix 1 to this report; and ii. agree the proposed allocation of grant funding for out of school care and pre five voluntary sector (subject to the completion of satisfactory checks and assessments) as detailed in appendices 2 and 3 attached to this report.
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P a g e 2 | 7 3. Background 3.1. Renfrewshire Council has been committed to developing and supporting services for families for many years. A number of private and voluntary sector organisations deliver a range of these types of service within Renfrewshire. 3.2. Working in partnership with providers from the private and voluntary sector, including out of school care and playgroups has enabled the Council to continue to support families with young children. ___________________________________________________________________ 4. Proposals for the Allocation of Funding 2026/27 4.1. Applications for funding to support the delivery of services to families and young children are submitted via the Council’s grant process for early years funding. 4.2. These early years funding arrangements are compliant with the Council’s grant funding requirements and subject to the Council’s Conditions of Grant. Payments will only be made to those recommended organisations detailed within this report when all satisfactory checks and assessments have been completed. These checks include financial information (bank statements and annual accounts), and latest Care Inspectorate grades for those services required to register with the Care Inspectorate. Services require to have Care Inspectorate Grades of 3 or above. 4.3. Appendix 1 of this report provides an overview of the proposed allocation of £83,015 for grants to the private and voluntary sector organisations supporting children and families, out of school care services and pre-5 voluntary sector playgroups for 2026/27. The proposed allocation of funding:2 individual voluntary sector organisations; pre-5 voluntary sector playgroups; and toddler groups, is agreed in accordance with previous grant allocation and available budget. The proposed grant for out of school care is based on a points system. 4.4. Appendix 2 attached to the report provides a breakdown of the proposed allocation of £22,815 grant funding to the out of school care services sector listed in Appendix 2. 4.5. The points system agreed for the disbursement of the resources for out of school care services continues to ensure an equal and fair allocation of the resources. Each point awarded translates into a sum of money, with the funding allocated to each organisation then approved by the Policy Board. The Education and Children’s Services Policy Board at its meeting on the 15 March 2018 approved a point value of £100 per point. The proposed allocation of funding outlined in appendix 2 continues to be based on a point value of £100. 4.6. Appendix 3 of this report provides a breakdown of the proposed allocation of £1,000 in total for the pre-5 voluntary sector playgroups and toddler groups identified in Appendix 3. 4.7. Further applications for early years funding grants which are under £1,500 will be approved by the Director of Children’s Services, using delegated authority provided to her under the Council’s scheme of Delegation Functions. Any
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P a g e 3 | 7 award greater than £1,500 will be presented for approval at a future Education and Children’s Services Policy Board meeting. _________________________________________________________ Implications of this report 1. Financial Cost relating to the proposals in this report will be met from existing funding resources. 2. 3. HR and Organisational Development None. Community Plan/Council Planning Our Renfrewshire is thriving - Ensuring the best start in life for children and young people. Our Renfrewshire is well - Early intervention will lead to healthier outcomes for children and young people. Our Renfrewshire is safe - The provision of funding to local groups contributes to the development of local communities. Building strong, safe and resilient communities - The quality of community life is enhanced by supporting parents, children and young people. Tackling inequality, ensuring opportunities for all - Effective governance arrangements ensure that the organisations receiving funding comply with legislative requirements. Creating a sustainable Renfrewshire for all to enjoy Working together to improve outcomes. - Support to families and flexible childcare placements will support parents into and sustain employment, training or enter education. Ensuring children have a high-quality early learning and childcare experience. 4. Legal The Education (Scotland) Act 1980 empowers the Council to provide a range of grants. Grant payments will be made in accordance with the Council’s Conditions of Grant. The Council’s Conditions of Grant will apply to any grant for funding to the approved voluntary sector organisations, out of school care and play group and toddler groups as detailed in appendices 1, 2 and 3 of the report. 5. Property/Assets None.
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P a g e 4 | 7 6. 7. Information Technology None. Equality and Human Rights The Recommendations contained within this report have been assessed in relation to their impact on equalities and human rights. No negative impacts on equality groups or potential for infringement of individuals’ human rights have been identified arising from the recommendations contained in the report. Services registered with the Care Inspectorate are required to comply with the Equality Act 2010. 8. Health and Safety None. 9. Procurement None. 10. 11. Risk All grant awards issued by the Council are subject to the Council’s Conditions of Grant as detailed in paragraph 4.2 of this report and compliance with appropriate risk management procedures. Privacy Impact Personal information will only be held as required for the grant application and meeting the conditions of grant. This will be done in accordance with all data protection legislation. 12. Climate Risk None. 13. Children’s Rights Every child has the right to relax, play and take part in a wide range of cultural and artistic activities (Article 31 (leisure, play and culture)). 14. Cosla Policy Position None. List of Background Papers None. ___________________________________________________________________ Children’s Services JC/KO 16/02/26 Author: Julie Caldwell . Early Learning and Childcare Development Officer julie.caldwell@renfrewshire.gov.uk
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P a g e 5 | 7 Appendix 1 Distribution of Funding to Support Services for Children and Families 2025/26 Service Outcome Funding proposed 2026/27 Home-Start Renfrewshire and Inverclyde Less isolation for families improving mental health and confidence levels. Training and development opportunities provided to volunteers and parents/carers. (Grant funding is to support Renfrewshire families) £45,200 Care Inspectorate Provider Name: Moorpark Community Association Cherrie Children’s Day-care Name of Group on Application Form: Moorpark Community Association Cherrie Children’s Day-care Care Inspectorate Service Name: Cherrie Children Daycare Young children aged 0 to 3 years being supported within a safe and stimulating environment and being able to access good quality learning experiences supported by knowledgeable and enthusiastic staff. £14,000 Out of School Care Services (appendix 2) Support to out of school care services in the independent sector to provide high quality play experiences for children and an affordable service for parents/carers. £22,815 Pre-5 Voluntary Sector Grants (appendix 3) Support to individual pre-5 voluntary sector providers. £1,000 Total £83,015
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P a g e 6 | 7 Appendix 2 Care Inspectorate Provider Name Name of Group on Application Form Care Inspectorate Service Name SIMD 2026 Private 0 Points Voluntary 1 point Renfrewshire Council Targeted Data Zone Area 5 Points Subsidised Places 1 Point per 8 places Equipment 1 point per 8 existing places Expansion of childcare places 2 points per 8 places for existing providers Expansion of childcare places 5 points per 8 places for New Provider Holiday cover 1 point per 8 places Use Schools or Community halls Term Time Only -1 point Year Round -2 Points Points Accrued Award Recommended Carli's Kindergarten Ltd Carli's Kindergarten Ltd CK Childcare 9 0 0 9.13 17.5 0 0 17.5 -2 42.13 £4,213.00 Carli's Kindergarten Ltd Carli's Kindergarten Ltd CK Childcare 5 0 0 0.63 3 0 0 0 -1 2.63 £263.00 Chatterbox Childcare Ltd Registered Company Name: CHATTERBOX CHILDCARE LTD. Chatterbox Childcare Ltd Chatterbox Childcare Ltd 6 0 0 1.25 8.25 0 0 0 -1 8.5 £850.00 Gryffe Manor Nursery Ltd Gryffe Manor Out of School Care Gryffe Manor Out of School Care 10 0 0 0.00 10 0 0 6.25 -2 14.25 £1,425.00 Hummingbird Out of School Care Limited Hummingbird out of school care ltd Hummingbird Out of School Care Limited 4 0 0 0.00 7.125 1.75 0 7.125 0 16 £1,600.00 Insafe Hands Childcare Limited Registered Company Name: INSAFEHANDS CHILDCARE LIMITED Insafe Hands Childcare LTd St. James Out of School Care 2 0 5 0.00 7.5 0 0 0 -1 11.5 £1,150.00 Insafe Hands Childcare Limited INSAFEHANDS CHILDCARE LIMITED Insafe Hands Childcare LTd Insafe Hands (Newmains) 9 0 0 0.00 5 0 0 5 -2 8 £800.00 Insafe Hands Childcare Limited INSAFEHANDS CHILDCARE LIMITED Insafe Hands Childcare LTd In Safe Hands 2 0 5 0.00 3 0 0 3 0 11 £1,100.00 KLAS Care C.I.C. KLAS Care C.i.C KLAS Care C.I.C 4 0 0 3.75 6.25 0 0 0 -1 9 £900.00 KLAS Care C.I.C. KLAS Care C.i.C KLAS Care 3 0 0 4.38 5 0 0 5 -2 12.38 £1,238.00 Making Memories Childcare Ltd Making Memories Childcare Ltd Making Memories Childcare Ltd (Out of School Care) 7 0 0 0.50 3.75 2.5 0 3.75 0 10.5 £1,050.00 Moorpark Community Association Cherrie Children's Day-care Moorpark Community Association Cherrie Children's Day-care Cherrie Children Daycare 1 1 5 0.00 5 0 0 5 -2 14 £1,400.00 Ralston After School Care Committee Ralston out of school care Ralston After School Care 9 1 0 1.25 10 0 0 10 -2 20.25 £2,025.00 Roin Ltd ROIN LTD T/A JENNYSWELL OSC @LOCHFIELD Jennyswell OSC -Lochfield 4 0 0 0.00 4 0 0 0 -1 3 £300.00 Roin Ltd ROIN LTD T/A JENNYSWELL OSC AT TODHOLM Jennyswell OSC -Todholm 4 0 0 0.00 6.25 0 0 6.25 -2 10.5 £1,050.00 School's Out Centres Limited School's Out Centres Limited 'School's Out' - Bargarran 5 0 0 2.13 6.25 0 0 6.25 -2 12.63 £1,263.00 School's Out Centres Limited School's Out Centres Limited 'School's Out' - Barsail 4 0 0 2.75 6.25 0 0 0 -1 8 £800.00 Strawberry Field Nursery Strawberry Field Nursery Strawberry Field Out of School Care 8 0 0 2.38 7.5 0 0 4 0 13.88 £1,388.00 £22,815.00 OUT-OF-SCHOOL CARE SUPPORT 2026/27 Provider Details Criteria Total
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P a g e 7 | 7 Appendix 3 Distribution of funding support services for children and families - pre-five voluntary sector grants 2026/27 Organisation Purpose of Grant Recommendation Award 2026/27 Langbank Playgroup To provide quality play opportunities for children that promote all aspects of their learning and development. £500 Lochwinnoch Toddlers Group To provide opportunities for children that promote all aspects of their learning and development. £500 Total £1,000