Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many parents who are students are eligible for 15 and not 30 free hours of childcare.

The Department for Education does not hold any data on the number of students eligible for the universal 15 hours free childcare and not eligible for the additional 15 hours free childcare entitlements.

The Government recognises the value of parents continuing in education and therefore funds childcare support for eligible students studying a publicly-funded higher education course. Parents under 20 can apply for Care to Learn which provides financial support for childcare so young parents can complete their post-16 education.

Parents aged 19 or over and in further education can apply for Discretionary Learner Support, for example, if they are studying for an NVQ, BTEC or PGCE.