The Childcare Support Fund 2025-2026

Piggy bank with childcare written on side

The Childcare Support Fund 2025-2026 offers limited financial assistance to eligible student parents towards OFSTED-registered childcare costs. 

 

You can apply for financial support towards childcare costs incurred between 1 October 2025 and 30 September 2026. 

The Childcare Support Fund 2025-2026 Application Form

Please note: applications are not complete and cannot be processed until they have been signed off by a tutor and all supporting documents (payslips/childcare invoices) are attached. 

Applications can take a minimum of 6 weeks to process, from receipt of complete application to payment from the Finance Team.

 

Eligibility Criteria

  • You must be an current student.  If you are intermitting, you are still eligible to apply. 
  • Your childcare must be Ofsted-registered and you must provide proof of your place, the booking pattern and the cost
  • You must provide full details of your income and expenditure (including grants/scholarships/sponsorship, income from family/friends, earnings, benefits, loans, savings or capital and University and College fees)
  • Every application will be considered on an individual basis based on the detailed information provided. 
  • Please note that receipt of an award in a previous year does not guarantee eligibility in future years as applicants' circumstances may change and awards are made on a first-come, first-served basis until the funding is depleted.

 

Key information:

  • The scheme is only available to eligible students.
  • The awards are assessed by comparing annual family income and expenditure with OFSTED-registered childcare costs.
  • There are awards available to help with registered pre-school and out-of-school childcare costs, which include breakfast and after school clubs and holiday clubs.
  • As funds are limited, awards can only contribute towards the cost of registered childcare and not the general expenses associated with raising a child.
  • Applications can be made throughout the academic year until the funding is depleted. 
  • If your application is successful, the award you receive is intended for the entire academic year. You can only apply more than once in one academic year if your financial circumstances have changed significantly.
  • Completed applications must be submitted through the College Tutor who should support the application.
  • Proof of a secured place or places in Ofsted-registered childcare, including the child’s name, booking pattern, cost and the start dates, must be included with the completed application form. Copies of invoices and/or offers of confirmed places with all of the above details are acceptable for evidence.
  • Awards are up to a maximum of £5,400 a year.

 

Please email your application form or direct any queries to childcareservices@admin.cam.ac.uk