Trusting someone else to look after your child can be difficult. Who can you trust, and if you have to pay, how much? Perhaps you don't like leaving your child at all, but long for time for yourself. If you are 19 years or under, and would like to attend training or a college course , funding is available for childcare, please visit www.dfes.gov.uk/caretolearn
Childcare if Returning to Education or Training
If you are thinking about returning to education, it can be exciting and scary at the same. You may think it’s not possible to go back to college with a baby but that’s not true!
What is true is that there is funding and support to help you find the course and childcare that’s right for you and your child/children. This is called Care To Learn. If you are under 20 years of age when you start your course you can receive up to £155 per week and up to £170 a week in London to pay for childcare.
Good planning and organisation will be really important to ensure your return to education is as smooth as possible, take your time and make the choices that are right for you and your child/children.
Returning to education or training may affect your benefits; therefore it’s important to speak to your lone parent adviser at the job centre or call job centre direct.
A Big Decision
Deciding on the best childcare for your child can seem like a huge decision and an added source of stress - there are so many pros and cons to consider, and you may not be fully aware of all the options.
Choosing Childcare for your Child
Childminders - Childminders are self-employed carers based in their own homes and must be registered with Oftsed which makes annual checks on a childminder and their home to ensure they are safe. The childminder, and any other adults in their home, are given a police check. A childminder is allowed to look after up to six children under eight years old including children of their own - but only three of them should be aged under five.
Ideal if you need flexibility, want a home environment for your child, have different aged children
Day Nurseries - Day nurseries provide full day care for children from as young as six weeks to pre-school five year olds.
They are all registered with Oftsed and have strict guidelines and ratios of staff to children. Normally run from 8am–6pm.
Ideal if you want to leave your child with professional staff, have a stimulating environment and to have 100% reliability.
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