Care to Learn – childcare for students aged under 20 at the start of their course
Childcare for 16-20 Learners
Childcare for students under 20
Applications for childcare must be submitted to the College but funding will be provided under the Care To Learn Scheme up to a maximum of £180 per child per week or up to a maximum of £195 per child per week if the student’s home address is in London.
If applying for help with childcare, the childcare application form must be completed in addition to the student funding application form.
Targeted support will be provided for students who are at risk of not starting learning, or not continuing learning, as a result of difficulty getting childcare due to the cost.
All Colchester Institute childcare awards will be subject to the provider being Ofsted registered. Providers can include nurseries, childminders, breakfast clubs and after school clubs
Childcare will pay for:
- Time spent in timetabled classes or placement and continued nursery and childminder places during the Christmas, Easter and half term holidays.
- Travel time to and from college
- Deposits and registration fees
- Ofsted registered childcare
Learner support may “top up” childcare costs for 19 year old learners receiving care to learn funding if their costs exceed the weekly maximum rates per child per week for the Care to Learn scheme.
Please note that any free government childcare funding must be used for college and placement days before additional hours can be paid for with college funding.
Colchester Institute reserves the right to cap childcare fees if they are considered to be excessive.
Childcare will not pay for:
- Advance payments or be responsible for late payment fees
- Any additional costs incurred as a result of changes in the number of days or hours a child attends their childcare provider, unless previously agreed by the childcare administrator.
- Childcare if there is a partner at home who can look after the child/children
If a learner withdraws from College or has funding declined because attendance has fallen below 90%, the College will take no responsibility for payment of outstanding fees to childcare providers. Students who withdraw will be liable for any childcare costs incurred after their last day of attendance.
Colchester Institute reserves the right to alter or amend the childcare funding policy at any time.
For more information please check Care to Learn academic year 2025 to 2026: conditions of grant funding – GOV.UK
