Open University student, child in Nursery?

MicheH

I am a stay at home mum, I am currently completing a psychology dgree with the Open University. I have secured full course funding for the next acedemic year and believe I will recieve a course grant of £250 also. Is this supposed to be used for childcare?

My eldest child attends school but I also have a toddler. I work when the children go to bed around 7.30pm but increasingly my 2 year will not settle till around 9pm. I'm finding it so difficult to get my work done, even concentrate. I'd like to put my little girl in nursery for a day or two a week so I can fully concentrate on my studies.

Any information anybody could give me about help with childcare costs or whether I would be eligible for any help would be very much appreciated. I'd give any information required no problem. Thank you in advance.

diddlydum

You are not entitled to any statutory student funding as an OU student, so any childcare costs will need to be borne by you. If you get a grant for the course you'll probably have to use that. The OU may offer further grants and bursaries for childcare, it would be worth asking them, but if they do not you will have to pay yourself.

Tax credits will only pay for childcare if both you and your partner work more than 16 hours per week.

Oldernotwiser

I'd get to grips with your toddler's evening routine as you won't get childcare help with the OU. What about studying while s/he has her nap or watches a video?

lauhen

It's easy for people to say get to grips with your little ones evening routine, but that's easier said than done. On that side of things though have you done all the obvious, like changing or reducing naps in the day, a proper bedtime routine like bath, pyjamas, story hen bed etc. My son didn't settle until he was over 2 and a half, and now we have a routine in place. I know this
isn't what you asked, but I thought I would say it anyway.
You are very lucky to get funding, I am wanting to study with ou but don't qualify, so I will have to open an ousba account and pay montly. Is there no one around to have the little one, at least the term after they are 3 you can get preschool free.

newmum1

Hi yes you can get help with nursery fees from the Ou they will pay a maximum amount per week per child depending on the amount of points your course is. Contact the financial assistance department and apply to the access to laerning fund they are very helpful, though it does take a while for it to be proceesed as they have a huge backlog. good luck

Zziggi

newmum1 wrote: »

Hi yes you can get help with nursery fees from the OU they will pay a maximum amount per week per child depending on the amount of points your course is. Contact the financial assistance department and apply to the access to laerning fund they are very helpful, though it does take a while for it to be proceesed as they have a huge backlog. good luck

Yes it is possible BUT you have to have a damn good reason for applying. Just because your child won't settle well in the evening doesn't sound like a good reason. Anyway a child settling by 9pm is not THAT bad anyway. Try having a child that sleeps no more than 2 hours per day, every day. Does the child have disablities? are you a single parent? Why can't dad settle the child while you study? Why can't you study while your child has an afternoon nap? Why don't you study daily 9pm - midnight (for example).

Can't see you getting any funding - I've been through the process & know how stringent it is.

bestpud

Once your littlie is 3, you will have some hours funded so that will help.

Until then, could you work when your OH is home? I'm assuming you have a partner...?

Otherwise, look into local playgroups as they are often cheaper than a nursery. They tend to be for less hours and not always every day but that would be ok for you, I think.

He/she may settle quicker if they've been at playgroup too!

I wouldn't rely on funding from the OU but I guess it's worth asking. Otherwise, use your course grant - I would if I felt it would help me study better.

I do wonder what your OH us doing to support you though...?