Financial support to help with childcare
Care to Learn – Childcare support for young people aged16-20
If you are aged under 20 at the beginning of your course, or moving to the 2nd year of a level 3 course, and are caring for your own child you may be entitled to £195.00 maximum per week, per child through Care to Learn.
Please ensure you register on the Care to Learn website even if you haven’t chosen your childcare provider or the course you want to study. Once you have registered Care to Learn will confirm financial support in principle.
For further details and help with making an application please visit https://www.gov.uk/care-to-learn or speak to a member of the Bursary or Student Support team.
Childcare support for people aged 20+
Financial support towards the cost of nursery, childminder, breakfast clubs and after-school clubs.
If you are aged 20+ at the beginning of your course and need financial support to help with the cost of childcare while you study the college may be able to help.
You will be required to make use of any government 2+ or 3+ (15hr / 30 hr) funding before requesting any financial support from the college.
It is essential that you speak to a member of the Bursary team prior to enrolling on a course to discuss your personal circumstances, childcare needs and to find out if there are funds available. The Bursary team can be contacted via bursary@ucg.ac.uk.
Eligibility for help with childcare costs is based on your personal circumstances.
General eligibility criteria:
- Aged 20 and over
- Considered a 'home student' for fee purposes
- Fully enrolled on a programme of study funded by the Education and Skills Funding Agency or in receipt of a 19+ Advanced Learning Loan
- Discussed and had confirmation of funding for childcare support before enrolling
Financial eligibility:
You need to have evidence that you meet general Discretionary Learner Support Funds or 19+ Advanced Learning Loan bursary fund criteria:
- Individuals on a low income, or
- Dependents of those on a low income, or
- Dependents of those receiving means-tested benefits, such as: Income Support, Jobseeker's Allowance, Employment and Support Allowance, Housing Benefit are eligible
When looking for childcare please be aware:
- All childcare providers must be OFSTED registered
- Students on full-time courses will be a priority for childcare funding
- The student is responsible for finding their own childcare provider
- The childcare place is available for term time only and will only be paid according to student’s timetable
- Childcare will only be paid for days when you are attending College or a mandatory work placement
- If the student is in receipt of 2+ or 3+ Government funding, they must use this for the days they are timetabled to attend college. Only additional hours needed for study will be funded by the College
- Childcare payments are made subject to students reaching 85% class attendance on a monthly basis
You MUST speak to a member of the Bursary or Student Services team before you enrol on a course.
All childcare applicants approved for funding will be required to sign our Terms & Conditions and MUST inform the College immediately should they stop attending lessons for any reason.
Email bursary@ucg.ac.uk for further information about childcare support.