Funding guide for parents

This information tells you about the different types of help which may be available to support you with your childcare costs. There are lots of organisations which can provide assistance.

The information given below will signpost you if you need further guidance. Kirklees Children's Information Service will also be able to give more information about other childcare services available in your local area. Please call 01484 223041/2.

Colleges and universities

Colleges and universities are developing childcare through the Government's National Childcare Strategy to provide a range of support for those students with children who are in education or training.

Student support for 16 to 19 year olds planning to go to, or already at sixth from or college

Care to Learn

Young parents going back to learning can now get more help with childcare. Students under 19 who have children can qualify for £155 per child per week to pay for registered childcare and any necessary travel costs to get them to and from their childcarer. The money will be paid directly to the childcarer for the childcare and to the course provider to fund the travel costs.

Any personal or family benefits that you have been receiving will not be affected. You do not have to be on benefits to claim Care to Learn.

Further information:
Helpline: 0845 600 2809
Kirklees Children's Information Service, tel: 01484 223041/2, email: cis@kirklees.gov.uk
Website: www.dfes.gov.uk/caretolearn

Learner Support funds

These funds are available in colleges and school sixth forms to help towards the costs that you may have when starting or following your course. Childcare and associated transport costs are included and are available at colleges through the Student Support or Welfare Officer or if at sixth form through your year tutor, the Student Awards or Student Support Officer at the Local Education Authority (LEA).

Further information:
Helpline: 0800 100 900
Website: www.support4learning.org.uk

Career Development Loan (CDL)

If you are over 18 and planning to do a vocational course you can use a CDL to pay for registered childcare. A CDL can range from £800 to £8000 and offers funding for two years or three if the course requires one year off in work training. During the course the government pays the interest on the loan, you have to pay the loan off beginning a month after your course finishes which is when you begin paying interest on the loan. A CDL may affect your benefit entitlement, seek advice from your benefits officer.

Further information:
Helpline: 0800 585 505 or visit
Website: www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/AdultLearning/CareerDevelopmentLoans/DG_10033237

Child Tax Credit

Education trusts and charities

If you are receiving funding but are still finding it difficult to meet childcare or other costs, there are other types of funding that you may be eligible for. Education Trusts and charities can offer limited funding for childcare costs. Speak to the Welfare officer or Student Support at your college to find out what options are available to you.

They may include:

Elizabeth Nuffield Education fund - offers bursaries, grants and funds to student parents, particularly for childcare costs.
Contact: 020 7636 4612
Website: www.nuffield.com
Hardship funds / Bursaries:
Some colleges have their own funds to help students facing financial difficulties. These are usually one off payments which you do not have to pay back. They can be used for childcare as well as towards books, travel and equipment.
Trusts and Funds: The college library may stock the Educational Grants Directory, the Grants register or the Charities Digest. The Education Grants Advisory Service will search through them for you to identify those for which you may be eligible.
Further advice and help: 02072 546251
Website: www.egas-online.org/fwa/index.html

Local Education Authority (LEA) awards

You may be eligible for a discretionary award from your local LEA. You can contact Kirklees local authority via Children's Information Service.
Tel: 01484 223041/2
Email: cis@kirklees.gov.uk

Student support for over 19s planning to do, or already doing an FE (Further Education) course either in an FE college, a training institution or an HE (Higher Education) institiution

Childcare Support Funds (CSF)

FE colleges administer CSF for student parents on low income which can help to pay towards the cost of registered chdcare and study costs. The fund could either be paid directly to the parent to pay for care they have identified or in the form of a free or subsidised place at acolllege nursery. This fund can be applied for throught he Student or Welfare Officer at your college.

Further information:
Helpline: 0845 602 2260
Website: www.lifelonglearning.co.uk/moneytolearn

New Deal for Lone Parents

Access and hardship funds

Student support for over 18 and planning to do, or already doing HE undergraduate course

Childcare Grant Package

Available to full-time students with children under 16 to pay for registered childcare in the form of a grant, not a loan, so does not need to paid back. The grant offers up to 85% of childcare costs during term time and short holidays and up to 70% during the long summer holidays with up to £135 for one child and £200 for two or more children per week. The grant will not be considered when calculating income for benefit purposes. You apply through your Local Education Authority.

Dfes Student Information Line: 0800 731 9133

Adults Dependent Grant

A non-repayable grant for adult members of your family who financially depend on you, ( usually your husband, wife or partner). How much you get depends on your income and any income your dependents earn. You apply for this from your LEA.

Parents Learning Allowance

Full time student parents may also be eligible for a Parents' Learning Allowance in addition to the Childcare Grant. It aims to help with course related costs, including childcare and can be worth up to £1300 depending on your circumstances. It is usually paid in three instalments and does not have to pay it back.

For more information contact the Student Support or Welfare officer at your college or university.

Child Tax Credit

Help with tuition fees

In most cases you would qualify for these in full. You apply for this from your LEA.

Access to Learning Funds

This fund offers additional help to students on low income, students with children, especially lone parents, are a priority group for this fund. Unlike other grants or funds it can be used towards family/child related costs or informal childcare. The college will be able to tell you if your course qualifies. Postgraduate students can also apply for help from this fund. You will not have to repay this fund, to get it you should apply to the student college services department.

Student Loan

This can be applied for as anyone else and should be done through your LEA.

Career Development Loan (CDL)

National Health Service

If you are employed by the National Health Service then you may be aware that each NHS trust aims to have a childcare co-ordinator who will act as an advisor to parents. Part of their role will be to co-ordinate nursery places for young children and find places for school-age children to meet the needs of NHS staff and their families.

Top tip for parents working for the NHS

Contact your local childcare co-ordinator to discuss your childcare needs.

To find out more contact: Calderdale and South Kirklees Childcare Co-ordinator, tel: 01422 224 794
Dewsbury and North Kirklees Childcare Co-ordinator, tel: 01924 212 766
Website: www.doh.gov.uk

Student support for those planning/doing a health professional course ( e.g. nursing, dental hygiene, physiotherapy)

Bursaries

These students on courses with the NHS can qualify for a bursary. This includes a maintenance grant to cover childcare costs, day to day living, equipment, books and travel costs. Mature students over 26 who are lone parents or have dependants can qualify for additional funding. None of this funding is repayable.

More information:
Call the NHS Student Grants Unit, tel: 01253 655655

NHS Childcare allowance

You could be eligible if you:

are an existing or new NHS Bursary funded student
have dependant children aged 15 or under, or 17 and under for children with disabilities or special educational needs
use registered or approved childcare.

You may qualify for up to 85% the costs of approved childcare up to a maximum amount. The amount you receive depends on your circumstances.

More information:
Call the NHS Student Helpline, tel: 0845 009 3559
Website: www.nhsstudentgrants.co.uk

Child tax Credit

Career Development Loan (CDL)

Health care Professional thinking of returning to the NHS

Return to Practice

The national return to practice initiative for nurses and midwives commenced in 1999. In 2001 the initiative was extended to allied health professionals and healthcare scientists. There are separate schemes for GPs, medical consultants and dentists. Between February 1999 and March 2004 over 18,500 former nurses and midwives had returned to work in the NHS as a result of the initiative.

From 1 April 2004, responsibility for the provision and funding of return to practice programmes was devolved to local NHS organisations. Many NHS employers continue to offer a returner's package which can include:

refresher training free
a minimum of £1,000 financial support whilst retraining [£1,500 for midwives]
assistance with childcare support of up to £135 per week for one child and £200 for two or more children
assistance with travel and books.

Any former healthcare professionals considering a return to practice should contact either NHS Careers or their local Strategic Health Authority return to practice co-ordinator.

Contact details:
Available from NHS Careers.
Tel: 0845 60 60 655
Website: www.nhscareers.nhs.uk/nhs/comingback.html

Working parents

Since April 2003 existing tax credits have been replaced by two new tax credits - Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit.

Child Tax Credit

Child Tax Credit is the way families receive money for their children up to 16 years old and for those children from 16 to 18 in full-time non-advanced education. Entitlement is based on the family's income and parents can claim if they are responsible for one or more children.

Child Tax Credit will provide support for:

A child until 1st September following his or her 16th birthday
A young person aged 16-18 who:
- is in full time education
- has left full time education but does not have a job or training place and has registered with the Careers Service or Connexions
- is not claiming Income Support or tax credits in his/her own right
- is not serving a custodial sentence of four months or more imposed by a court.

Working Tax Credit

Working Tax Credit (WTC) is a payment to top up the earnings of working people. There are extra amounts for working households in which someone has a disability. It is available to employees and self-employed people and can include support for the costs of qualifying childcare.

People who are responsible for a child or young person can claim Working Tax Credit if they are aged 16 or over and work at least 16 hours per week.

As part of Working Tax Credit, parents may qualify for extra help towards the cost of registered or approved childcare. This is known as the childcare element within WTC. Parents must work at least 16 hours per week.

Up to 70% of childcare costs can be paid for each child, up to £175 a week and £300 a week for two or more children. So, the maximum childcare element that can be claimed is either:

£140 a week (£175 x 80%) for one child or
£240 a week (£300 x 80%) for two or more children.

The final amount the family can receive will depend on the family's income. Payment is made directly into the bank account of the main carer. You can get a claim pack from the Inland Revenue or apply online. Alternatively, employers are now paying WTC directly into employees' wages.

Top tip for parents

Go online at www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/taxcredits to check your eligibility. If you qualify you will be able to make your claim online immediately.

More information

Tax credit helpline: 0845 300 3900
Tax credits childcare providers helpline: 0845 300 3941
Website: www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/taxcredits

Home

See also

Other websites

Contacts and Maps