Childcare scheme helps young parents improve prospects
Young parents in Warwickshire who are considering a return to education or training could get extra help with childcare costs, thanks to a government scheme.
Care to Learn offers mums and dads under 20-years-old up to £160 per child per week for registered childcare, as well as the cost of travel to and from the childcare provider if the provider is not on the site of learning.
Young parents can choose any type of course or programme to be eligible for the childcare funding, whether it lasts for only a few days or for several years, and it applies to both part-time and full-time learning.
In Warwickshire, one in seven young mothers benefit from Care to Learn funding for childcare such as 19-year-old Georgia Holford who has a one-year-old boy. Georgia returned in September to complete an NVQ in hairdressing:
“I really wanted to finish what I had started before having my son but the cost of childcare put me off. However, I spoke to my Connexions Personal Advisor who told me about the Care to Learn funding for childcare.
”It was really easy to apply and once I had been accepted, it meant I could cover the childcare costs and continue with my NVQ at College. Once I’ve completed that, I would like to stay on to study at a higher level before starting my hairdressing career.”
Kathy Siddle, Warwickshire’s Respect Yourself Campaign co-ordinator, is encouraging others to apply: “The cost of childcare can often be a factor in putting young parents off returning to education or training.
“However, Care to Learn provides the funds to pay for high quality childcare, allowing mums or dads the opportunity to improve their career prospects and build a better life for their family.
“It is not only a great opportunity to improve skills but also to build confidence and make new friends, so interested parents should talk to their Connexions Personal Adviser or another trusted professional.”
For more information about Care to Learn support in your area, call the Learner Support Helpline on 0800 121 8989 (young parents) or visit http://www.direct.gov.uk/caretolearn.
Alternatively, contact Sally Stapleton, Connexions Personal Adviser (Teenage Pregnancy and Young Parents) on 07793 525556.