Financial support with childcare during full time study

[NewHeights]

Is there any support for families where one parent is a full time student? My partner and I want to start a family but I am a full time PhD student and my partner makes 45k. This means we make 17k too much to qualify for 17k worth of a childcare grant. We are hesitant to rely on the good will of grandparents to provide childcare until our kids are 2 and qualify for 15 free hours.

From September there will be 15 hours funding for children of 9 months plus, but I don't know what the eligibility criteria will be - probably the same as the new 2 year old funding for eligible working parents, which is being introduced after Easter,I suspect.

Unfortunately I didn't find a way around it (unless it has changed recently with all the new changes?). I have to work 16 hours alongside my studying to at least qualify for the tax free childcare. He turned 3 in January so I will get some more help, however it's far from ideal! You just have to be very organised with studying and work, and essentially be able to pay the fees! I'm thankful I only have another year left of both studying and paying for fees!!

I haven't found a way around this yet, either. @jlr1986 do you know if there is a qualifying amount that you have to earn to get the free hours, or if it is a minimum number of hours (the 16 that you do)?

I am a full time PhD student and my partner is self employed. I will be going back to my PhD after maternity leave next year, and we would like to put our daughter in nursery for a couple of days but it seems as though we are not eligible because I don't work (although I receive a studentship for my PhD, so technically, I am working!).

If anyone discovers a way around this, I would be keen to know.