Childcare support

There are two childcare schemes available to students to help make part-time study possible. First you'll need to decide which scheme you may be entitled to receive help from.

A Care to Learn – for young parents (lone or part of a couple) under 20 who wish to participate in learning.
B Adult Childcare (20+) through City Lit Learner Support Fund

Care to Learn  is administered by the Learner Support Service (LSS). For enquiries contact the LSS helpline on 0800 121 8989 or ask for an application form in the Information and Advice shop.

If you are not eligible to receive help from Care to Learn then you may be entitled to receive childcare support from City Lit’s Learner Support Fund.

You are eligible for support for your childcare costs from the City Lit if you fulfil all of the following criteria:
• You have had your concessionary fee status confirmed by the City Lit OR you can show evidence that you are on a low income.
• You require support for the duration and times of course attendance and travel only
• You attend your course regularly and inform A&G of any changes immediately
• Your child/children is under 15 years (or under 16 years if disabled) and you are their parent or primary carer
• Other sources of childcare support have been explored
• You declare any other financial support you are receiving for childcare support
• There are sufficient funds remaining in Childcare Support Fund

Level of support
Financial support is offered on the basis of:
• Time in class and travel to and from college to attend the course(s) you are enrolled on
• Students must be responsible for providing for care of the child and it must be established that the other parent is not able to provide this
• Childcare should be provided by a registered childcare provider
• Students will be required to repay any unused monies allocated to them in the event of non attendance or withdrawal from their course

How to apply to City Lit’s Childcare Support Fund
Please check the availability of a place on your course, apply for support and identify a childcare provider as early as possible.

Financial support for childcare is available from a specified budget which is allocated annually. Once this has been allocated to students there are no further funds available until the following year.

The LSF cannot provide any help towards childcare with FC courses.

You must follow the procedure below. You must apply for childcare support before the start of your course. Applying for childcare support does not guarantee that you will receive support. No payments for childcare can be made until your application has been considered and approved by City Lit. You will receive written confirmation of the outcome of your application.

1. Complete the childcare support questionnaire
2. Letter sent to you confirming your eligibility and level of support
3. Letter sent to Childcare provider including invoice form (CC4) confirming level of support
4 Childcare provider completes form after 6 weeks childcare (CC4)
5. Funding payment made

Registered childcare provision costs will be assessed individually.

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If you would like help finding a registered childcare provider in your area. Please call Childcare Link on 0800 234 6346 or click on their website for more information: www.childcarelink.gov.uk   

For further information and contact details visit the Information and Advice home page. 

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