To want to better myself

[Itsnotmyday]

I currently work part time in a minimum wage job. I want to study further go to college then onto university to do Nursing. I have a DD (3) at part time school. Me and her dad aren't together but my DP/DM and her dad's mum help with childcare when u work. Her dad has her every other weekend. How do people balance work/study/college and childcare costs? It honestly feels like a impossible dream. I don't earn enough to pay for childcare plus if I did go to college I wouldn't even be able to work anyway. I couldn't find someone for childcare going to college full time and my partner doesn't earn enough to cover all bills. Feels like I'm in a hole in can't get out of.. should I just give up on this until DD is older?

Childcare may be covered by your uni. Have you Googled fee assistance etc?

Oh really? I didn't even realise. I'll look in5o that. Makes things even more difficult that nursing bursaries are being stopped

totally amazing to want to improve your education, skills and job prospects - I would look carefully into nursing tho and think how you will manage shift work with childcare? There may be other options that might suit you that have more regular 'office hours' when you qualify.

I currently do shift work as I'm a care assistant

Could you get a job as a health care assistant in a hospital - I believe they will pay for the nursing course. I'm not 100% sure so don't quote me on it, but I'm sure my sister got into nursing via this route or similar. She started off as a care assistant too.

I did an access course 2 evenings a week.

Was a tough year juggling work study and children but totally worth it. So have a look at evening courses? I'm just going into my 3rd year at uni now. So its def possible. Student finance isn't loads but comes it at just enough

Yeah that was what u was thinking.. getting a job in a hospital. I've applied for a few but don't get interviews.. saying that I haven't got my nvq level 3 in health and social care.. but have nearly completed it so I guess this may give me a head start.

Just to say, good for you, wishing you lots of luck and I really hope all works out well for you. :)

Gingerbread is a charity for single parents. Have a read of their website: gingerbread.org.uk/factsheet/13/Money-for-higher-education-students

My mum went to uni as a single mum not so long ago, and managed very well. It was financially better for her to go full time, too.

When are you due to complete your nvq in health and social care? If it's soon you could directly start applying to university's now? For Sept/oct start. No need to go to college.

Do a quick search for funding. But if your dh gets less that 25k you'll get maximum loans plus you may get parent learning allowance and childcare costs. Additionally individual university's have funds yoh can access that can be worth 1000's

Additionally student income doesn't count as income for tax credits purposes.so you may find you're entitled to some tax credits.

Unfortunately I can't go straight into uni with my nvq.. I'd still have to do the access course

That might be university specific. Often universities are more flexible on admittance to mature students. They like to see recent evidence of studying at level 3. Which you will have. Id call and speak to the admissions officer. A girl I worked with got a place to do nursing at Southampton with an NVQ level 3 in care and experience of working in care homes..

Maybe wait until the chaos of clearing had cooled off before phoning for a chat though.

Go and ask at your local college about funding for access courses and uni - it may be more affordable than you think. I did an access course followed by a degree when my DDs were little, and it was the best thing I ever did. I got more in funding than I'd been earning in shitty pre-minimum wage jobs, and once I got into the way of studying it was quite manageable (hard at first, though). Good luck, OP.

Op i was a nurse for years i was an RMN honestly rhe hours ate gruelling if i had my time again i would train as an Occupational therapist better hrs,pay and more highly thought of imo my mental health trust used tp second a small number of healrh care assistants ro do their nurse training but they havent done this for a long time now.

Are gruelling*

Childcare fees would be covered while you are studying. Maybe worth making an appointment with cab/ a careers advisor to get up to date and accurate advice?

Access courses are probably your best option. You can do them via the OU which is difficult but may also suit you more if you can do it whilst working too. Your local council may run them and local colleges so call around and ask about them and about any grants/hell that they may offer towards childcare :)

I'm pregnant with my first and will be going back into education in the next couple of years, first doing an access and then uni. Once you are in university you are entitled to help with childcare but I can't get a straight answer about financial help towards childcare whilst in college, it seems to depend on the area.

Do Open University at first. Do it for a year or so in the evenings and weekends. See how it goes. The credits will help you get into uni too.

You never know, after some foundation courses you might find that there are other areas of healthcare that you are interested in and capable of doing.

I did a distance learning qualification with very young children and a job. It can be great. To make the most of it, I would suggest you go to every possible real life meet up arranged.

I studied with the open university at home in the evening. It's tough but was so so worth it

Hmm, I'm a nurse and like x2boys I'd recommend OT over nursing. The problem with nurse training is you're subject to the off duty with little say, including. Do you have flexible childcare? Someone to do the night cover? That's something you'll need to sort before you embark on your training.