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► HELP ON SUSSEX SU
Advertise
University of Sussex Students Union has various student marketing and student advertising tools that can promote your services direct to our students.
For all our student
marketing & advertising opportunities click the media pack button.
► Childcare
Finding good quality, affordable childcare can sometimes be a challenge but is obviously essential to you and your family to get the most out of your time at University. This section has information about childcare off and on campus and advice on the financial help available.
Baby-sitting board
There is a baby sitting board in the Student Advice Centre, where parents can advertise that they want a childminder and childminders can advertise their services. Please note that it is your responsibility to get references and/or Criminal Records Bureau checks regarding the child minders on the babysitting list as the Union does not check these people out for suitability of work with children.
University childcare
The University runs childcare facilities for children of staff and students from the ages of 4 months to 5 years. Click the links below for more information:
The Creche (catering for children aged 4 months to 3 years)
The Nursery (catering for children agesdof 2 ¾ to 5 years).
Other childcare
In addition to the services provided by the University there are obviously a wide range of other childcare services eg. registered childminders, nurseries, playgroups and after school clubs.
ChildcareLink
The ChildcareLink service is a government initiative. Click here for more information. There is a national freephone information line on 0800 2346346 and details of local Children's Information Services (CIS). The CISs provide face-to-face or phone advice on all aspects of childcare.
The website helps you find useful information about the different types of childcare and early education in your local area and also contains details of your local Children's Information Service, who can provide additional help and advice with all aspects of childcare and early years.
Brighton & Hove Families Information Service
Brighton & Hove Families Information Service provides free information and advice on: registered childcare free early education children’s activities family support childcare careers local childcare jobs.
They run a drop-in room at Brighton Town Hall which is open Monday - Friday 9.00am - 5.00pm and their helpline is 01273 293 545.
Free early years education
All three and four year olds are entitled to up to five two-and-a-half hour daily sessions a week, for three terms each year, with a ‘registered provider’ such as a school, nursery or playgroup. You can also use a registered childminder if they’re part of an approved childminding network.
Click here to find out how to contact your Children’s Information Service.
Directgov
This government run website has information and guidance for parents on everything from maternity leave to immunization – Click here for more information.
Childcare costs
Childcare Grant
If the childcare you use is ‘prescribed" then you may be eligible for financial help towards the cost of this through the Childcare Grant.
Prescribed childcare includes:
- childcare provider is registered by OFSTED. Registered childcare includes registered childminders, nurseries, playgroups,children's centres and holiday play schemes for children under 8.After schol clubs will be covered if they are registered with OFSTED
- childcare is for children aged between 8 and 14, where the provider is approved by an accredited organisation's quality assurance scheme
- any other form of childcare used by English students that would qualify for the childcare element of Working Tax Credit.
How much help you get will depend on your circumstances (such as your income and that of your dependants):
- For one child – Up to £148.75 a week (85% of actual costs of up to £175 a week).
- For two or more children – Up to £255 a week (85% of actual costs of up to £300 a week).
You cannot get this grant if you or your spouse or partner receives the childcare element of the Working Tax Credit.
You can apply for this help before or during your course and you can receive a Childcare Grant during term time and vacations.Jobcentre Plus and Housing Benefit departments will not count the Childcare Grant when they work out your benefit entitlement.
Working Tax Credit – childcare element
If you’re working more than 16 hours a week and you’re on a low income, you may be able to claim Working Tax Credit.
The Working Tax Credit includes a specific element to support the cost of registered childcare for working parents. The childcare element can help with up to 80% of your eligible childcare costs.
There are limits on the weekly costs you can claim. If you pay childcare for one child, the maximum you can claim is 80% of £175 (£140) a week; if you pay childcare for two or more children, the maximum is 80% of £300 (£240) a week.
You or your partner cannot get the childcare element of the working tax credit if you receive Childcare Grant – see above.
Click here for more information about tax credits.
The Access to Learning Fund
You may be able to apply for help with childcare costs through the Access to Learning Fund – this includes help with childcare costs not covered by the Childcare Grant. Click here for further details about the Access to Learning Fund.
Help for EU and international students
If you are classed by the University as an international student then you will not be eligible for a Childcare Grant, a payment from the Access to Learning Fund (although please see below) or tax credits.
If you are classed as an EU student then in general you will also not be entitled to financial help from these sources.
However, both international and EU students are eligible for the free early years education mentioned in this section.
If you are an international or EU student, can demonstrate financial hardship and need help with childcare costs then you may be eligible to apply to the Alumni Hardship Fund. Financial assistance will be in the form of a grant and is therefore non-repayable. The amount awarded will not normally exceed £500.
For further information about the application process and to discuss your eligibility please contact the International & Study Abroad Office.
