Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of childcare provision for PhD researchers.

30 hours free childcare is an entitlement for working parents of 3 and 4 year olds. The entitlement aims to help with the costs of childcare so that parents can take up paid work if they want to or work additional hours.

The ‘Childcare Bill policy statement’, published in December 2015, is clear that students are not eligible for 30 hours free childcare. The department recognises the value of parents continuing in education, however, and provide a range of support other than 30 hours for those in further or higher education.

Students are eligible for the universal 15 hours of free early education which is available to all 3 and 4 year olds regardless of family circumstances.

Students who work in addition to studying are eligible for 30 hours free childcare if they meet the income requirements.