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How Care to Learn can help you

If you are a parent under 20 at the start of your course, Care to Learn can help pay for your childcare and related travel costs while you’re learning.

The subject or course you take is up to you. For example, you can choose whether you want to take a qualification or not. You can also choose whether you want to learn at a college or through a course in your community, such as at a children's centre.

Wherever you decide to learn, you can be confident that your child is being safely looked after.

Want to speak to someone about Care to Learn?

You'll find lots of information about Care to Learn on these pages. But if you have any further questions - or you'd like some help with your application you can call the Learner Support helpline on 0800 121 8989.

• Learner Support helpline

What you can learn

When you get Care to Learn, it’s up to you what you learn.

You could choose a course or learning programme that lasts only for a few days, or one which lasts for several years. There are no set hours, so you could study part time or full time.

While you’re learning, you could be helping to build a better future for you and your family. More and more employers are looking for people with higher level skills and qualifications. The latest research shows that people with qualifications tend to earn more than those without.

You’ll also be meeting new people and making new friends, getting out and about and perhaps gaining a greater sense of confidence and independence.

The most important thing is to choose something that suits you and your interests.

Finding a course

There are thousands of opportunities available, ranging from confidence building courses in the local community to two year college courses.

You don't necessarily have to be on a course that leads to a qualification. All you need to do is choose learning that receives some public funding.

If you’re looking for ideas or inspiration about what to learn, see ‘Choices at 16: what’s right for you’ or contact a careers adviser, telephone 0800 100 900.

• Choices at 16: what's right for you

• Contact Connexions Direct Opens new window

Childcare: who looks after your child

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

Care to Learn helps by letting you choose the type of childcare that suits you and your child. You can, for example, use it to pay for childcare at any of the following places:

• childminder
• pre-school playgroup
• day nursery
• out of school club
• other registered childcare

The childcare provider must be registered with Ofsted. Registered childcare providers must meet national standards, and may be inspected to make sure they are providing good quality care.

If you want a relative to receive Care to Learn for looking after your child they need to be:

• Ofsted registered
• providing registered childcare for children they are not related to
• live apart from you and your child

If you have any concerns about your child’s well-being or safety, contact your local authority or the Learner Support helpline on 0800 121 8989.

• Learner Support helpline

Finding childcare

Cross & Stitch has information on childcare, or you can ask your careers adviser for advice. They can help arrange visits to different childcare providers, so you can find the one that best suits your needs.

During the visit, make sure you’re happy the place is right for your child. You may want to ask about:

• what they will do during a typical day
• what happens when your child is upset, hungry or needs a change of nappy
• how the childcare fits in with your child's school day

Ask the childcare provider for a copy of their information booklet for parents. This will have details of what they do in different circumstances.

• Childcare (parents section)

• Find a Connexions personal adviser in your area Opens new window

Next step: find out if you're eligible

If you’re interested in applying for Care to Learn, the next step is to check whether you're eligible.

• Care to Learn: are you eligible?

Useful contacts

• Care to Learn contacts