Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if her Department recognises (a) student nurses and (b) other essential vocational trainees as "working" for the purposes of childcare eligibility.

​​On 7 July, we published our Best Start in Life strategy, which sets out how we will make real change happen for families across the country.

The working parent entitlement is aimed at eligible parents who wish to start working or work more hours, which is why this entitlement is conditional on work. To be eligible, parents must earn the equivalent of at least 16 hours a week at National Minimum Wage, which is equivalent to £195 per week/£10,158 per year in 2025/26, and under £100,000 adjusted net income per year. Students of all academic levels may be eligible for the entitlement if they meet the eligibility criteria, including the income criteria.

We recognise the value of parents continuing in education and provide a range of support for students in higher education to support them with childcare. If they meet the eligibility criteria, students can also apply for the Childcare Grant and Parental Learning Allowance.