Help for Parents in Further Education

Sixth Form College Childcare Scheme – students aged 20 or over

If you are a parent aged 20 or over, and studying at a sixth form school or college, you can get help with your childcare costs through the Sixth Form College Childcare Scheme.

Depending on your household income, you can get help worth up to £160 per child per week for the academic year 2007/08 (up to £175 in London).

When you are working out your childcare costs, you can include:

• Fees you pay to the childcare provider
• The cost of any extra journeys you have to make to get to and from your childcare provider

If you’re in college full-time and your total household income was between £30,502 and £50,501, you can still claim for help towards the actual costs of your childcare – but you won't get the weekly maximum. Check the table below to find out the limit on how much you can claim.

 

Household income	Maximum weekly claim (outside London)	Maximum weekly claim (in London)
under £30,502	up to £160	up to £175
£30,502 – £35,501	up to £128	up to £140
£35,502 – £40,501	up to £96	up to £105
£40,502 – £45,501	up to £64	up to £70
£45,502 – £50,501	up to £32	up to £35
£50, 502 or more	no claim allowed	no claim allowed

To find out more, or to get an application form, call the scheme’s helpline on 0845 600 2809. Lines are open between 9.00 am and 5.00 pm from Monday to Friday.

If you are under 20

If you are under 20 and in any publicly-funded learning, you can get help with childcare costs through ‘Care to Learn’.

You can claim Care to Learn funding if you are under 20 and:   

• start a course of learning or training in a school, college or as a trainee with a work based learning provider that receives some public funding;
• be caring for your own child(ren) - fathers are also eligible if they are the main carer;
• be living in England; and
• use a registered childcare provider

To find out further information or to apply please click on www.dfes.gov.uk/caretolearn

If you are in further education

If you are a parent aged 20 or over and study at a college of Further Education rather than a sixth form school or college, you may be able to get help through your college’s Learner Support Fund.

If you are at a college speak to your student support or welfare officer. If you are in the sixth form get in touch with your year tutor or the student awards or student support officer. You may be expected to provide proof of income or expenditure when you apply.