Free Childcare for Training and Learning for Work
This scheme is now closed to new learners.
The Government has taken the decision to stop the Free Childcare for Training and Learning for Work national trial scheme from 31 August this year and no new applications will be accepted onto the scheme.
The Free Childcare for Training and Learning for Work trial has provided support with the costs of childcare for a small group of parents since April 2009. However, since the scheme started take-up has been lower than anticipated.
Continued pressures on public expenditure and the absence of any guarantee of support beyond March 2011 means that the Department for Education (DfE) is unable to continue with this trial scheme.
Parents currently in learning or training
The DfE will do all it can to minimise the impact on learning for parents currently supported by the scheme. All parents currently receiving support from Free Childcare for Training and Learning for Work will continue to receive financial support until 31st August 2010.
Learners who are continuing on the same course in the 2010/11 academic year that they started in 2009/10, at the same level and Provider, will continue to receive financial support providing they remain eligible under the same criteria.
What is the new application and payment process for returning learners in 2010/11?
Following the decision to end the scheme we have had to alter the application and payment process for 2010/11. When learners are assessed as eligible for Free Childcare for Training and Learning for Work for 2010/11 and are notified of their eligibility for support, they will be sent a form that their Learning Provider will be required to complete. This asks the Learning Provider to confirm that the learner is continuing on the same course that they started in 2009/10.
In 2010/11, Learning Providers are also required to make arrangements to pay the learner's chosen Childcare Provider. This is different from 2009/10 where support was paid directly to the Childcare Provider. To support Learning Providers with this additional process, we will pay them an administration fee of £80 per learner.
Further details are available in the Application and Payment Process for Returning Learners document.
Parents looking for support with childcare costs for new training and learning
Parents over the age of 20 who are struggling with the cost of childcare while they learn should contact student services at their learning provider for further advice, although there is no guarantee of funding.
Jobcentre Plus can provide financial assistance with childcare costs to eligible parents undertaking training or learning that will lead to work. Jobcentre Plus also offers one-to-one support to parents through New Deal for Lone Parents and New Deal for Partners; eligibility criteria apply. Parents should speak to their local Jobcentre for further information, although there is no guarantee of funding.
More FAQs
