Care to Learn

You don't have to stop your education just because you've become a parent. If you're a young parent looking after your child – whether you're the mother or the father – you can apply for money from Care to Learn so you can keep studying.

What Care to Learn can do for you

Care to Learn will pay up to £160 per week for childcare and your travel. This also includes any registration fees or deposits, and some other expenses.

To find out exactly what Care to Learn can give you, go to the website Direct Gov – Care to Learn, or phone the Learner Support helpline on 0800 121 89 89.

Care to Learn does not affect your benefits (or your family's). You don't have to be on benefits to apply for Care to Learn.

Who qualifies for Care to Learn?

You can claim Care to Learn funding if you are

• under 20
• starting a course at school or college, or a training programme funded by the government
• the main carer of your own child
• living in England
• using a registered childcare provider. (Find a local childcare provider on the website ChildcareLink.)

You can apply for Care to Learn at any time; it doesn't matter when your course starts. Read the instructions at Direct Gov – apply for Care to Learn to get started. (You can get more help with this from a Connexions Personal Adviser.)