Here’s a list of some of the childcare and support you can receive as a young parent studying, working or living unemployed in the UK.
Juggling multiple responsibilities can be tough. This is often the reality for young parents who are trying to juggle looking after their children and their education/work.
You don’t need to struggle as a young parent alone. Help and support is out there! We’ve compiled a list of services and resources to help you.
Government Childcare Subsidies While You Study
Childcare in the UK is among the most expensive in Europe. This is one of the main factors that prevents young parents from returning to work or school, and particularly impacts young women who statistically bear a greater percentage of the child-rearing workload.
If you want to further your education, childcare costs shouldn’t hold you back. That’s why there are 3 forms of government support available to help you cover the costs of childcare while you go to school, college, or uni.
1. Care to Learn (England only)
If you’re under age 20 and at the start of your course, you might qualify for Care to Learn childcare subsidies if you’re studying a publicly funded course (e.g. a state school, sixth form, or college).
Payments are up to £180 per child per week if you live outside London, and £195 per child per week if you live in London.
Care to Learn payments are made directly to your childcare provider once they have confirmed that your child is registered and your school or college has confirmed your attendance on a course.
You can also sometimes get help with your travel costs. These funds will be paid to your school or college, who will either arrange your transport or pass the money along to you.
2. Learner Support
Learner Support for childcare is available to young parents aged 20+ who are studying a qualification at Level 3 or below, and who need financial support (you may need proof of low income).
Your learning provider will decide how much you get and how best to pay the money to you – it might be paid into your bank account, or directly to your childcare provider.
Each college has their own application process, so ask yours what you have to do.
3. Childcare Grant (England only)
Childcare grants are available to full-time students enrolled on a higher education course (i.e. university) in England, who have children under the age of 15 (or 17 if they have special educational needs).
Your childcare provider must be on the Ofsted Early Years Register or General Childcare Register. Alternatively, your child may be cared for at home by a childminder registered with an appropriate professional body.
The amount you’ll get depends on your total household income and how many children you have. For example, in the 2023/24 academic year, you can get either up to 85% of your total childcare costs or a fixed maximum (£188.90 per week for one child, £323.85 per week for two or more children) – whichever amount is smaller.
You’ll need to set up a Childcare Grant Payment Service account for your money to be paid into. Your childcare provider will be paid from this account. You can apply for a Childcare Grant along with the rest of your student loan application through Student Finance England.
You can check the eligibility requirements here.
Free Childcare for Two, Three and Four Year Olds
If you have a two-year-old and are eligible (receiving certain benefits, if your child is disabled, or if your child is being looked after by a local authority) you can get up to 15 hours or 30 hours per week for 38 weeks (or 1,140 hours) free childcare.
You can use your hours flexibly with more than one provider if you wish. Some providers will allow you to ‘stretch’ the hours over 52 weeks, using fewer hours per week.
You can check the different childcare eligibility types there are on the website here. Its worth signing up to email updates as childcare support from the government is expanding next year.
Universal Credit for Childcare
Universal Credit is a government scheme that has replaced a number of benefits including tax credits.
If you (and your partner, if you have one) are working or due to start work, and receive Universal Credit, you can claim back up to 85% of your monthly childcare costs.
More info: Universal CreditFamily Lives
Family Lives is a registered charity in England and Wales which focuses on building happier, healthier family relationships. They have advice and resources dedicated to young parents, with information on everything from housing and childcare costs to food, education, and money.
Family Lives also has a free, confidential 24/7 helpline which you can call if you need help, advice, or just a caring person to listen. You can reach them on 0808 800 222.
Gingerbread
Gingerbread is a registered charity dedicated to supporting single parents. They have a useful section of advice and resources specifically for young single parents on their website.
They also offer an online forum where you can chat, get advice, and share support with other single parents, and local single parent social groups that meet in various cities across England and Wales.
Little Lullaby
Little Lullaby is an online community for young parents run by The Lullaby Trust, a registered charity working to prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS.) Little Lullaby campaigns to raise awareness on this issue but also does much more to support and empower young parents, and to challenge stereotypes about them.
Their support and advice pages are packed with valuable information on all kinds of topics related to young parenting, and if you sign up as a member (which is free,) you can chat and share experiences with other young parents.
Legal Rights to Support Working Parents
As a parent, there are certain legal protections you are entitled to. You have the right to flexibility with your working schedule in order to accommodate childcare. Under these arrangements, you agree to a number of working hours per week with your employer but work them with some flexibility. In practice, this might mean coming in early and leaving early so that you can pick your child up from school, or starting work later to allow for taking your child to their childcare provider. In some situations, it might also include things like remote work arrangements.
All employees are entitled to time off to deal with emergencies or care for dependents, including children. There’s no specified legal limit to this, so it will depend on your employer and the situation. Many employers will pay you for this time, but they do not have to.
You are also entitled to unpaid parental leave for purposes related to your child’s welfare. Examples might include pre-arranged (i.e. non-emergency) medical appointments for your child, taking time to settle them into a new childcare arrangement, or looking at schools. Though this time is unpaid, your employer is not legally allowed to sack or discipline you for taking it.
This article was updated in December 2023. While we aim to keep this page up to date with resources, remember to check the websites included above to get the current information on eligibility and specific amounts of financial support.
