Website of the UK government

Help with childcare costs if you’re a sixth form student

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

• Sixth Form College Childcare Scheme

Help with childcare costs if you’re out of work and want to train

If you’re an out-of-work parent aged 20 or over with a partner who’s working, you could get help with your childcare costs through the Free Childcare for Training and Learning for Work scheme.

Application forms for the new scheme will be available from February 2009.

• Free Childcare for Training and Learning for Work scheme

Getting into work: more sources of help for parents

• Benefits and help for parents going back to work (parents section)
• New Deal for Lone Parents: help finding work, childcare and training Opens new window

Help with childcare costs from your college

If you don’t qualify for the schemes offering help with childcare costs, you may still be able to get financial support once you’ve been accepted onto your course - through your college’s Discretionary Support Fund.

• Discretionary Support Funds

Choosing childcare

Letting someone else look after your child can be a big step.

The Sixth Form College Childcare Scheme, Free Childcare for Training and Learning for Work scheme and Discretionary Support Funds help by letting you choose the type of childcare that suits you and your child.

You can use the money to pay for childcare at a:

• childminder
• pre-school playgroup
• day nursery
• out of school club
• other registered provider (such as your college nursery or crèche)

The only condition is that the childcare provider must be registered with Ofsted. Registered childcare providers must meet national standards, and are inspected regularly to make sure they are providing good quality care.

• Choosing childcare (parents section)

Looking for course ideas?

Getting your childcare arrangements sorted out means you can focus on your course - and there’s a huge range to choose from.

Finding a course that will build up your skills and qualifications can open up new career opportunities - potentially benefiting both you and your family.

• Choosing the right course
• Learning for work

More useful links

• Care to Learn: help with childcare costs if you’re under 20
• Help for higher education students with children