We are committed to supporting students to overcome any financial barriers to learning.
You may be eligible for funding to assist with your childcare costs whilst you study at college. You could get up to £180 per child per week.
Eligibility
To be eligible for this funding, you must:
- Be the parent or main carer of the children for whom you are applying.
- Maintain good attendance.
- Complete a childcare application.
- Place the child in an Ofsted-approved childcare setting.
Additional criteria
- Childcare for parents aged 19 or under (Care to Learn)
If you are a young parent aged 16-19 at the beginning of your course, you may be able to apply to the Care to Learn Scheme to help with your childcare costs.
A maximum of two children per student can be supported.
- Childcare for parents 20+
If you are a parent aged 20 or over at the beginning of your course, you may be eligible for help with childcare costs on the days when you attend college.
To be eligible for help with childcare, you must be in receipt of a college bursary.
If your child(ren) are entitled to two-year or three-year-old free childcare from the government, those hours must be used for your college lessons first before bursary funds are used.
A maximum of two children per student can be supported.
- How is this paid?
The support for childcare is in place for the student to learn. The payments for the childcare will be based on the taught sessions in college during term time only. It is important to note that the amount of funding provided is capped at £180 per week per child. Where necessary, students may be expected to contribute to the cost of their childcare if the total cost exceeds the weekly bursary amount.
Students’ attendance will be checked prior to each bursary payment being released. The college reserves the right to withhold or suspend payments to any student whose attendance is deemed to be at an unacceptable level without good reason.
To Apply
Paper copies can also be collected from Student Services. Along with your application, you will also need to submit the details of your OFSTED-registered childcare provider and a copy of either each child's birth certificate or a letter confirming the child benefits you receive for the named child.
For guidance or support with your application, please visit the Student Services Helpdesk or email