- How can I apply for a Childcare Grant (CCG)?
- Who is eligible for a Childcare Grant (CCG)?
- How much Childcare Grant (CCG) will I receive?
- How will my Childcare Grant (CCG) be paid?
- How much Childcare Grant (CCG) will I receive?
- What is the Childcare Grant Payment Service (CCGPS)?
How can I apply for a Childcare Grant (CCG)?
- You can apply for the Childcare Grant alongside your main Student Finance application by setting up a Childcare Grant Payment Service (CCGPS) account.
- Your household income will be used to workout how much Childcare Grant you can get, and you’ll receive a letter confirming the amount.
- The money will be paid directly to your OFSTED registered childcare provider to make the process easier for you
⚠️This amount that you are awarded will never be paid into your bank account
Who is eligible for a Childcare Grant (CCG)?
To qualify for the Childcare Grant, all the following must apply:
- You’re a full-time student
- Your child must be under 15, or under 17 if they have special educational needs
- You get undergraduate student finance based on your household income, or are eligible to
- You’re not getting a Postgraduate Loan
- You’re a permanent resident in England
- The children in your grant application are financially dependent on you
- your childcare provider is on the Ofsted Early Years Register or General Childcare Register - check with your provider
- If your child is cared for at home, the carer cannot be a relative and must be registered with an appropriate body - check with Student Finance England
- Neither you or your partner are claiming Tax-Free Childcare, the childcare element of working Tax Credit or Universal Credit
- Neither you or your partner receive help with childcare costs from the National Health Service (NHS)
⚠️Childcare Grant isn’t the same as 15 or 30 hours free childcare. You can’t use Childcare Grant to pay for those hours.
How much Childcare Grant (CCG) will I receive?
The amount you’ll get depends on:
- your household income
- the number of children who are dependent on you
2025 to 2026 academic year
You can get 85% of your childcare costs or a fixed maximum amount, whichever is less.
The maximum you can get is:
- up to £199.62 a week for one child
- up to £342.24 a week for 2 or more children
Example
If your childcare for one child costs £100 a week you’ll get £85 - this is 85% of your costs.
If your childcare for one child costs £250 a week, you’ll get £199.62. This is because 85% of your costs is £212.50, which is above the maximum weekly amount.
You have to pay any remaining costs.
⚠️All students in receipt of Childcare Grant will be required to pay at least 15% of each invoice from the Childcare provider. All students are expected to have financial provisions in place to pay the remainder of their childcare costs, prior to the start of the academic year
How will my Childcare Grant (CCG) be paid?
- You’ll get an email asking you to register with the Childcare Grant Payment Service (CCGPS).
- Once registered, you can set up your online account and manage your childcare payments.
- Your Childcare Grant amount will appear as a balance in your CCGPS account, and your childcare provider will be paid directly from it.
- Your OFSTED‑registered provider will send invoices to CCGPS weekly or monthly. You must approve each payment in your account, or the provider won’t get paid.
- Any unused money at the end of the academic year will be returned to Student Finance England.
What is the Childcare Grant Payment Service (CCGPS)?
The Childcare Grant Payment Service ((CCGPS) is an online platform enabling parents to manage their Childcare Grant by authorising and sending payments to childcare providers electronically. CCGPS is administered by Wider Plan, a recognised government partner for the Nursery Milk Scheme. Wider Plan is also an employee benefits provider with extensive experience of working with parents and childcare providers through delivery of their childcare voucher scheme.