Archive Website of the UK government

Help with childcare costs from your college

You may be able to get financial support once you’ve been accepted onto your course through your college’s Discretionary Support Fund.

• Discretionary Learner Support

Choosing childcare

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

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.

• Finding and choosing childcare (parents section)

• Find schools, childcare and family services and Sure Start Children's Centres (do it online 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.

• Find an adult learning course

• Learning for work

Getting into work

There are benefits and help for parents who want to go back to work.

• Benefits and help for parents going back to work (parents section)

• Help with childcare costs - do you qualify for extra tax credits? (money, tax and benefits section)

More useful links

• Care to Learn: help with childcare costs if you’re under 20

• Help for higher education students with children

Useful contacts

• Adult learning contacts