Financial support for childcare

We know that it’s not easy to find reliable and cost effective childcare as and when you need it. 

That’s why we have an outstanding on-site Nursery  and can talk you through the various financial support schemes available to help you with the cost of childcare while you study.

Applicants aged 16, 17, 18 or 19 years at the start of the academic year should apply for support with childcare costs through the ‘Care to Learn’ scheme. To make an online application please visit the click here.

Applicants aged over 20 years can apply for support with childcare costs through:

Discretionary Adult Learner Support Fund (DALSf)

The Discretionary Adult Learner Support Fund is designed to help adult learners aged 20 years of age or over as of the 31st August who meet Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) criteria for adult provision.  For more information, click here! 

Advanced Loans Bursary Fund (ALBf)

The Advanced Loans Bursary Fund (ALBf) is designed to help adult learners aged 19 years of age or over as of the 31st August who are using an approved Advanced Learner Loan to meet some or all of the cost of their course tuition.  For more information, click here!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• Do you contract childcare?

  No, the contract/agreement for the provision of childcare is with you as the parent and not Burton and South Derbyshire College.

• Does my childcare provider have to be OFSTED registered?

  Yes, your chosen provider must be registered and have been inspected by OFSTED and have received a ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’ grading (early years) or have no listed compliance actions (childcare register).  

• What happens if my provider is inspected and their grading changes?

  The provider must also notify the College within 28 days of an OFSTED inspection should it result in a change to their grading (early years) or impose new compliance actions (childcare register).  Failure to do so may impact on our ability to provide continued support. 

• How many children can I apply for support for?

  Financial support for childcare is only provided for a maximum of 2 children. Under exceptional extenuating circumstances an appeal may be presented to the Learner Services Team Leader for due consideration should support be required for additional children.

• How many hours support will I receive?

  Childcare costs are paid for your timetabled sessions in College, plus an agreed allowance for travel time. The only exceptions to this rule are: 

  • Learners who are undertaking an unwaged work placement as part of their course. Such learners may apply to receive additional support subject to funding availability and written confirmation [from their Tutor] of placement hours and venue.
  • Learners who are undertaking additional independent learning at College, as agreed with a tutor. Such learners may apply to receive additional support subject to signing in and out with the Learners Services Team. 

  The College does not pay for childcare outside of College term time, as per the published session dates, unless prior agreement has been sought and agreed in writing. 

  The College will not make payment for childcare provision on days where the learner has been recorded as absent from College. 

  Children who are eligible for ‘Think2’ or ‘NEG’ funding must use their full financial entitlement first and then the College will consider paying any top-up nursery fees. 

• Do you pay for breakfast and midday meals?

  The College will not cover the cost of breakfast but will cover the cost of a midday meal where you are timetabled to be in College for the day.  

• Are there any costs my support will not cover?

  You are solely responsible for administration or booking fees, taster sessions charges, deposits or retainer or holding fees. You are also responsible for payment of any fees or costs associated with the provision of childcare outside of term time or in the event of your absence from college.

• Do you childcare payments come to me?

  No, all payments are paid directly to your childcare provider.

  All payments are monthly in arrears subject to receipt of an invoice.  All invoices should be sent by the provider directly to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. on or before the 1st day of the month.

• Could I lose my support?

  Staff administering the grants and bursaries will examine your attendance levels no less than once a half-term. In the event that your attendance falls below 90%, strategies and goals for improving attendance will be discussed and agreed between you and your Progress Coach. Failure to achieve any agreed goals within the specified time period may result in support being suspended until these goals have been met and attendance levels improve to an acceptable level.

  In addition, the College reserve the right to withdraw or suspend support if:

  • You fall below 75% attendance
  • You fail to attend College for three (3) or more consecutive weeks
  • You fail to keep up to date with course work
  • You are subject to disciplinary action including suspension or exclusion from College

  Should you be currently open to the Safeguarding team, in care, care leaver, vulnerable or has declared ongoing medical issues no suspension will be actioned without prior consultation with the appropriate support teams.

  Staff administering the grants and bursaries will examine your attendance levels no less than once a half-term. In the event that your attendance falls below 90%, strategies and goals for improving will be discussed with you.

• What happens if I withdraw or I am withdrawn from my course early?

  If you withdraw from college at any point during the academic year, support for childcare will be withdrawn as of the last date of recorded attendance. The responsibility for childcare costs may then revert solely to me from that date.

• Online resources

  Care to Learn 

  Staffordshire County Council 30 Hour Childcare Guidelines (2 Year Olds) 

  Staffordshire County Council 30 Hour Childcare Guidelines (3-4 Year Olds)

  Staffordshire County Council Early Years Funding Information