Childcare Help & Support

There is lots of help and support available for families to access childcare to help with studies and finding employment.
We are providing information about childcare options available to you through government initiatives and our own bursary scheme. We have also included a handy list of local nurseries so you can choose for yourself.

See how we can help you with Childcare Costs.

RHACC Discretionary Learner Support Bursary 

You could be entitled to our bursary which can cover the fees for the Ofsted registered childcare support of your choice.

  • If your household income is less than £35,000 a year
  • Or you receive means-tested qualifying benefits

Childminder Services

We have details of registered childminders and can help you to arrange childcare while you study, which is funded by our bursary.

  • For children aged 3 months to 11 years old
  • Maximum of two children covering timetables classes only

External Childcare Provision

You can also arrange childcare yourself with an Ofsted registered external provider in which they will need to confirm they agree with the Colleges terms of payment.

How to Apply for Help from RHACC

Please talk to our reception staff and complete a Bursary Application Form. We can then advise you of the next steps depending upon the type of care and support you need.

15 Hours Free Childcare (Age 2)

  • For children aged 2 from families in England receiving eligible benefits, you are entitled to 15 hours of free childcare or early education for 38 weeks per year.
  • Eligible benefits include - Income Support; Jobseekers Allowance; Universal Credit (with household income of less than £15,400 per year; Pension Credit; Child Tax Credit; Working Tax Credit.
  • A total of 570 hours per year, that you can use flexibly with one or more childcare provider.
  • Some providers will allow you to ‘stretch’ the hours over 52 weeks, using fewer hours per week.

15 Hours Free Childcare (Age 3 - 4)

  • For all families in England with children aged 3 and 4.
  • You are entitled to 15 hours of free childcare or early education for 38 weeks.
  • A total of 570 hours per year, that you can use flexibly with one or more childcare provider.
  • Some providers will allow you to ‘stretch’ the hours over 52 weeks, using fewer hours per week.

30 Hours Free Childcare (Age 3 - 4)

  • For working families in England with children aged 3 and 4*.
  • 30 hours of free childcare or early education for 38 weeks.
  • A total of 1,140 hours per year, that you can use flexibly with one or more childcare providers.
  • Some providers will allow you to ‘stretch’ the hours over 52 weeks, using fewer hours per week.

* Families have to meet certain income requirements to be eligible for the current 30-hour offer for three and four-year-olds.

Tax-free Childcare (Age 0 - 11 or 16 if disabled)

  • For working families, including the self-employed, in the UK.
  • Earning under £100k and at least £167 per week (equal to 16 hours at the National Minimum or Living Wage) each
  • Who aren’t receiving Tax Credits, Universal Credit or childcare vouchers.
  • With children aged 0-11 (or 0-16 if disabled).
  • For every £8 you pay into an online account, the government will add an extra £2, up to £2,000 per child per year.

Universal Credit for Childcare (Age 0 - 16)

  • For working families claiming Universal Credit, in England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales (who are not receiving Tax-Free Childcare).
  • With children under 17.
  • Can claim up to 85% of eligible childcare costs.

Child Tax Credits (Age 0 - 15 or 16 if disabled)

  • For working families, in the UK.
  • With children under 16 (or under 17 if disabled).
  • 70% of childcare costs, up to a cap.
  • If you cannot make a new claim for Tax Credits, you may be able to apply for Universal Credit instead.

There is also a Flexible Support Fund (Universal Credit), which is a discretionary fund through Job Centre Plus to help families attend interviews and bridge childcare costs until they are paid.

Support While You Study

  • Weekly payments from Care to Learn if you are under 20 and arestudying full time at school or sixth-form college.
  • Help through your college if you’re in further education.
  • A weekly grant if you are in full-time higher education.

How to Apply for Childcare Support

If your child is age two, three or four and you want to access 15 hours of free childcare, you don’t need to make an application as your childcare provider will do this for you automatically.

You’ll just need to show them a copy of your child’s birth certificate, and you’ll also have to sign a declaration form. Talk to your childcare provider directly to find out more.

If your child is three or four years old and you are eligible for 30 hours of free childcare, you’ll need to fill out an application form online. You will then be given a childcare account and will need to update your information every three months.

Help and Advice

Please talk to our reception staff and we can provide you with help and advice to find the right type of childcare for your needs.

Richmond

  • Bright Horizons Day Nursery and Preschool – Oak Lane, Twickenham TW1 3PA
  • Bright Horizons Richmond Day Nursery and Preschool – 359 Lower Richmond Road, Richmond TW9 4NZ
  • Bright Horizons Teddington Cedar Road Day Nursery and Preschool – 16 Cedar Road, Teddington TW11 9AL
  • Bright Horizons Teddington Day Nursery and Preschool – Unit 1, Palgrave Court, 4 Southcott Road, Teddington TW11 0BU
  • Bright Horizons Twickenham Meadway Day Nursery and Preschool – 49 Meadway, Twickenham TW2 6PY
  • Bushy Tails Nursery & Pre-School – Queens Road, Teddington, TW11 0LW
  • Buttercups at Teddington – 133 High Street, Teddington, TW11 8HH
  • Greenwood Nursery – 63 Holly Road, Twickenham TW1 4HF
  • Kids Inc Day Nursery – 459b Upper Richmond Road West, East Sheen SW14 7PR
  • Kindred Teddington – 8 Langham Road, Teddington TW11 9HQ
  • King’s House Nursery – Princes Road, Richmond TW10 6DQ
  • Little People of Hampton – 10 Tangley Park Road, Hampton TW12 3YH
  • My Sunshine Day Nursery & Pre-School Mortlake – 35 Lower Richmond Road, Mortlake SW14 7EZ
  • N Family Club, Twickenham – 75-77 Queens Road, Twickenham TW1 4EU
  • Riverside Nursery Schools – Grosvenor House, Grosvenor Road, Twickenham, TW1 4AD

Kingston

  • Acorn to Oak Nursery and Preschool – Kingston Rugby Club, Club House, Hook Road, Chessington, KT9 1LP
  • Advantage Day Nursery – 228 Red Lion Road, Shepperton KT6 7QD
  • Aspire Day Nursery – 1a Howard Road, Surbiton KT5 8SA
  • Bright Horizons Elm Grove Nursery and Preschool – 12 Elm Grove, Kingston upon Thames, KT2 6HN
  • Bright Horizons Hinchley Wood Day Nursery and Preschool – 1 Poplar Road, Esher, KT10 0DD
  • Bright Horizons Kingston Day Nursery and Preschool – 95 Richmond Road, Kingston upon Thames, KT2 5BT
  • Bright Horizons Kingston Nursery and Preschool – Victoria Hall, Victoria Road, Kingston upon Thames KT1 3DW
  • Bright Horizons Surbiton Nursery and Preschool – 23 Upper Brighton Road, Surbiton KT6 6QX
  • Busy Bees Thames Ditton – Mercer Close, Thames Ditton, KT7 0BS
  • Childs Play Nursery School Ltd – 31 St Matthews Avenue, Surbiton KT6 6JQ
  • Coombe Day Nursery - Courtney House, Station Approach, Norbiton Avenue, Kingston upon Thames KT1 3QT
  • Dicky Birds Day Nursery and Preschool – 62 Claremont Road, Maple Road, Surbiton KT6 4RH
  • Dicky Birds Day Nursery and Preschool – Indigo Square, 84 Brighton Road, Surbiton, KT6 5PP
  • Green Lane Nursery – 45 – 47 Green Lane, New Malden KT3 5U
  • Kings Meadow Pre-school & Nursery – 75 Hampden Road, Kingston upon Thames KT1 3HG