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Parents

Getting help with preschool costs

All three and four year olds in England are entitled to a free early learning place. If you are a working parent, lone parent or a student you may be entitled to extra help with the costs of early learning and childcare.

Early learning places for three and four year olds

Every three and four year old in England is entitled to a minimum of 12.5 hours of free early learning for 38 weeks of the year. This will rise to 15 hours a week from 2010, delivered flexibly over a minimum of three days.

Help for working parents

Tax credits are designed to help people on low incomes. Child Tax Credit - a means-tested allowance for parents and carers of children - is paid to families whether you are working or not. Many working families can receive help with their childcare costs through the childcare element of Working Tax Credit.

If you use registered or approved childcare, depending on your income, you could get up to 80 per cent of your childcare costs back. This is up to a maximum award of £140 a week for one child and £240 a week for two or more children.

Help for lone parents

Lone parents who are out of work can get help through a government programme called New Deal for Lone Parents. Further information is available through your local Jobcentre Plus office.

Help for students

If you’re in further education you may be able to get extra financial help. This could come through the Care to Learn Scheme (for students under 20) or through Learner Support Funds. There's also a scheme providing help with childcare costs for sixth form students aged 20 or over.

As a higher education student, you may be eligible for extra help on top of any standard student loans or grants you get. This could include a bursary, Child Tax Credit, Childcare Grant or help from the Access to Learning Fund.

Money may also be available through educational trusts or charities. Ask your student welfare adviser or local authority for advice.

Help from employers

Some employers offer a childcare allowance or vouchers as part of a ‘salary sacrifice’ scheme. It is worth asking your line manager, personnel or human resources department whether your employer runs a scheme like this.

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