Childcare Support

Please note that all 3 and 4 year-olds and some 2 year olds are entitled to 15 hours of free education each week for 38 weeks of the year. You should utilise this funding if it is available to you.

Additionally, you may be eligible for financial help towards your childcare costs whilst studying at the College.

Learner Support Fund Childcare Bursary

You may be eligible for a Childcare Bursary from the College Learner Support Fund towards the cost of your childcare, if you are not eligible to receive support from one of the Government Funded Schemes and if you are:

  1. Aged 20+ at the start of the course.
  2. Classed as a home student, have ordinarily been resident in the EEA for more than 3 years or have full refugee status.
  3. In receipt of a firm or conditional place on a SFA funded course at South Thames College leading to a qualification.
  4. In receipt of certain benefits, or have an annual household income of no more than £20,000.
  5. In receipt of an Advanced Learning Loan if you are either
  • Aged 24+ studying for a level 3 qualification
  • Aged 20+ and already hold a level 3 qualification

The following are maximum amounts for the whole academic year. Late starters will be paid pro rata.

Child(ren) under 4 yrs on 31stAugust 2017

1 Child 2or more children

  • Student studying less than 4 hours per weekup to £2,275 up to £3,088
  • Student studying 4 - 8 hoursper week up to £4,550up to £6,175
  • Student studying above 8 hoursper week up to £7,000up to £9,500

Child(ren) over 4 yrsand in full time primary school education

  • Out of School Care1 child up to£2,000 per year

2childrenup to£3,000 per year

3 or more childrenup to£3,500 per year

Please notethe childcare funding is only available for the time you spend in timetabled classes at the college or on work placement compulsory for your course of study.

The Childcare Bursary does NOT fund tuition fees for your child/children.

The college will pay a retainer fee over the Christmas, Easter and Half Term breaks subject to available funds.

Students must take personal liability for their decisions with regard to their childcare arrangements.

The order of priority for bursary offers will be:

  1. Students in receipt of a South Thames College Childcare Bursary or Care to Learn childcare funding in 2016/17 and progressing in 2017/18.
  2. Other progressing South Thames College Students.
  3. Students new to South Thames College.

How to apply if you think you are eligible:

  • Obtain a course offer for your chosen course.
  • Register your interest by completing and handing in a ‘Childcare Expression of Interest’ form.
  • If your application is successful you will receive a bursary application pack.
  • Find a suitable childcare provider or out of school care appropriate to your requirements. The provider must be OFSTED registered and hold current Public Liability Insurance.
  • Bring the completed forms, together withthe requested evidence stated on the application form to Student Services at your campus within the stated deadline.

Childcare payments are made directly to the provider twice each term and are dependant upon students achieving at least 85% attendance at the College.

Please note that funds for childcare bursaries are limited and will be allocated on a first come basis. The College is unable to guarantee funding for childcare bursaries.

Should you require support or advice with your childcare needs, please ask to speak to a Welfare Adviser at Merton or Wandsworth.

Government Funded Schemes

  • Care to Learn (C2L)

If you are a young parent under the age of 20 at the start of your course,

Contact:

Phone: Learner Support Helpline 0800 121 8989

  • Working Tax credit (childcare element)

You may be eligible to claim extra money for childcare if you are over 16 and:

a)You are a lone parent working for a minimum of 16 hours a week.

b)A couple who both work for a minimum of 16 hours a week.

Contact: Inland Revenue

Online: Phone: 0345 300 3900

Advice on arranging your Childcare

  • OFSTED

The college can only fund Childcare Providers registered by OFSTED. These include childminders, crèches, nurseries and out of school clubs.

Contact: OFSTED

Online: Phone: 0300 123 1231

  • Family Information Service.

Family Information Service can help you find the childcare provision that best suits you. Phone:

Merton 020 8274 4901 Kingston 020 8547 5006

Croydon 020 8726 6400 Wandsworth 020 8871 7899

Sutton 020 8770 6000 Lambeth 020 7926 9503

Surrey 0300 200 1004Southwark0800 013 0639

Contact Us

Student Services & The Advice Centre

Merton Campus Tel: 020 8408 6565

London Road Morden Surrey SM4 5QX

E-mail:

Opening hours: Mon- Fri 8.45am - 4.00pm

Student Services

Tooting Centre Tel: 0208918 7557

71 Tooting High Street London SW17 0TQ

E-mail:

Opening hours: Mon – Fri 9.00am - 4.30pm

Advisors are not on site every day but Student Services will help you make an appointment.

Student Services

Wandsworth Campus Tel: 020 8918 7384

Wandsworth High Street London SW18 2PP

E-mail:

Opening hours: Mon – Fri 8.30am - 4.30pm