Mature Student - 15 free childcare hours (or not)

Parent_student24

Hi there,

I can’t be the only person who is struggling with this… 

I am going to be a mature student starting a PGCE to become a teacher in September. I’ve been working full time for the last 14 years (paying tax). 

I am entitled to a childcare grant £3,600 for the year but my childcare fees monthly are £1100. So this grant is going to disappear very quickly. I was excited that the 15 free childcare hours were coming in. HOWEVER, these are only eligible for working parents. My wife is working, but I will be a student. So we do not qualify. 

I have spoken with Student Finance, my university Student Services, my local County Council, Universal Credit my local MP and the gov Tax Free Childcare Department to see if this is all true, and it would seem it is. 

I am aware of hardship funding from the university but I need to know before I start studying if I’d be entitled to any extra support. Because if I’m not I won’t do the course. 

Has anyone else been in this situation and what did you do? 

GLZML107

You're not the only one. My partner will be doing a PGCE based full time in school placements and we're not eligible either. I will be working full time.

We have some savings from a property sale to cover course fees and Childcare for our 3 kids (youngest is 2 in Aug).

What surprises me is that very few people seem aware that being a student means you are ineligible for all government assistance- free hours and tax free childcare. Surely they would want people in these shortage positions? Assume you're not planning to train in one of the funded specialist secondary subjects (maths etc.)? 

The only advice I have is whether you can find a term time only nursery to reduce the cost?

Or you could take a part time job 16 hours a week to be eligible for the hours.