This section covers information for parents who are in education or training. You may be studying on a course at college or university or doing some vocational training while at work.
Financial help for childcare costs while you are studying is mainly available through your training provider, which is your college, university or training institution. If you are a parent and you are considering starting a course, you will need to check with your chosen training provider to see what childcare provision and financial assistance will be available whilst you are studying.
You can also read our factsheet 'Help with childcare costs for student parents' from our factsheet section.
The type of funding available will depend on what level of qualification you are studying for - further education or higher education.
Further education
This is the term used to describe Level 1, 2 and 3 courses. These could be A levels, NVQs and BTECs for example. Alternatively, they could be courses that help you to learn more basic skills like numeracy, literacy or computer skills.
Find out more about studying on a further education course.
Higher education
This is the term used to describe courses that lead to Level 4 qualifications. Examples of these qualifications are undergraduate courses such as BAs or BSCs, or postgraduate courses such as MAs, MBAs, PhDs or Mphils. They also include HNDs, HNCs and DipHEs.
Find out more about studying on a higher education course.
Please note: Individuals studying on a post-graduate course are not entitled to the same financial support for their childcare as undergraduate students.
Find out more about studying on a post-graduate course.
Use the sub-sections on the right-hand side of the page to guide you through information relevant to your situation.