Childcare Funds

Funds may be available to provide some assistance to help you meet the cost of formal and registered childcare for timetabled sessions where the cost is not already met by other funding sources such as free nursery places for 3-5 year olds, Lone Parent Childcare Grant, New Deal for Lone Parents or the childcare element of Working Tax Credits.

FE & HE Lone Parent Childcare Grant

In the first instance, Lone Parent Childcare Grants (maximum £1,215) will be prioritised from the funds allocated to the College. 

Thereafter, applications to the College discretionary childcare fund from students who are using the Happitots Nursery on Campus will be supported.

Applications from students using other providers - nurseries or registered childminders - may be supported if the on site facility is fully subscribed or if Happitots are unable to accommodate these children for other, genuine reasons.

College Discretionary Childcare Fund

College discretionary childcare funds are cash limited and there can be no guarantee that costs can be met.  If you wish to apply for support with the cost of registered childcare should do so immediately you enrol on a College course.

All applications to the College discretionary childcare fund will be assessed on the basis of need and therefore household income and savings will be taken into account.  Applicants must be

• (FE & HE) past compulsory school leaving age
• (FE) eligible under residency rules
• (HE) UK domiciled or eligible for full student support
• (FE) attending a fundable course as a fundable student
  
• (HE) attending an eligible full-time course of study
  

Students who are not eligible for support (see above) under the childcare funding regulations may be eligible to make application under the College discretionary fund regulations.

Application forms for the Lone Parent Childcare Grant and the College Discretionary Childcare Fund and the College Discretionary Hardship Fund are available from the Advice Centre at the start of term.