Full time student - is it true I have to pay MORE for childcare when I'm not earning anything??

rutherhurst

I'm about to begin a one year non-salaried PGCE as a mature student (aged 41). We have a two year old who will be eligible for free childcare in January 2021.

Student finance have said I can't get any childcare support as my husband's earnings are over the bracket (he is by no means high-earner). I have worked my whole life and can't quite get my head around the fact that we have to pay MORE for childcare now I'm a full time student than when I was working and earning. No tax-free childcare (because you can only get this if you are both working) and only 15 hours, not 30, from January (because, again, you can only get this if you are both working). 

But to be a full-time student training to be a teacher I need childcare. How is there no help available to me, and how is it right that I have to pay MORE when I'm not earning anything, but even more needing of childcare as I will, in effect, be 'working' full time??

If anyone can add any advice or if I have got this wrong please please do comment, I'm tearing my hair out and really worrying about how I can afford to even do this course

theoretica

Have you talked to your university?

rutherhurst

Not directly, I've spoken to student finance

sheramber

Tax free childcare if to support those in employment.
As a student you are not in employment.
There  is a child care grant for students but it is means tested and it appears your  household income is too high to benefit rfom that.