Childcare

Students With Caring Responsibilities

Section 1: Childcare

University Nurseries

There are two nurseries at the University of Manchester. We recommend registering early with them due to a shortage of places and long waiting lists.

- Dryden Street Nursery Dryden Street Manchester M13 9SY Telephone: 0161 272 7121
- Echoes Day Nursery Echo Street, Off Granby Row Manchester M60 1QD Tel: 0161 306 4979

Both nurseries provide care for children from six months to five years and are staffed with trained and experienced personnel in accordance with the local authority's requirements.

Childcare - Nurseries, Schools, Before and After School clubs and Child-minders

For information on other nurseries and childcare in the local area / your area, please go toChildcarelink

Childcare - Babysitters

For babysitters in the local area please visit Childcare Register

If you need any other help or support finding childcare, please do not hesitate to contact the Women's Officer - womens@umsu.manchester.ac.uk

Section 2: International Students

International Students with children are able to access University owned family accommodation, unfortunately due to high demand this cannot be guaranteed.

International Students with caring responsibilities are able to access the Childcare facilities available to home students, including the University's own nurseries, please see section 1. However International Students are not necessarily entitled to welfare benefits, grants or tax credits, which can help with childcare costs and therefore childcare can be costly. To discuss possible entitlement to financial support please come to the Advice Service, on the first floor of the Students' Union.

Section 3: Pregnant Students

Free pregnancy tests are available from the Women's Officer.

Maternity/Paternity

Students who wish to request a period of leave from their studies for maternity or paternity reasons should complete an Interruption Request Form. These forms should be available from the student's School. The student can also request these forms from Personal Tutors.

Taking an interruption may affect the student's entitlement to student financial support such as the student loan, maintenance grant etc. For advice about how your financial support could be affected by interrupting your studies please come to the Advice Service, on the ground floor of the Students' Union.

Section 4: The Students With Caring Responsibilities Network

The Students with caring responsibilities network is a group set up by the union for students to meet in a safe environment to share help, advice and fight for their rights. If you are interested in coming along, please contact the Women's Officer.

The Union will pay up to £5 per hour towards childcare to enable you to attend any union events, or union society events.

Section 5: Funding

Students with caring responsibilities are entitled to several kinds of funding and benefits.

The Childcare Grant - This grant is available for students who have dependent children and a low household income. If you have children under 15, the grant pays up to 85% of your actual childcare costs throughout the whole year. For more information go to: Student Finance

Parents' Learning Allowance - for help with course-related costs for students with dependent children. For more information go to: Student Finance

Child Tax Credit - to help with the costs of raising children. For more information go to: Tax Credits

Access to Learning Fund - This is based on your circumstances and comes from the Universities funds. To help with any extra financial support to stay on your course. For more information go to: Student Finance or Access To Learning Fund

Housing Benefit - for lone parents, disabled people who qualify for Disability Premium or Severe Disability Premium, disabled people who receive Disabled Students Allowance, People aged over 60. For more information go to: Housing Benefit

Income Support - for lone parents, disabled people who qualify for Disability Premium or Severe Disability Premium, disabled people who receive Disabled Students Allowance. For more information go to: Income Support

Section 6: Academic Help

For help or representation on Academic Issues related to your caring responsibilities, please contact the Academic Affairs officer: academic@umsu.manchester.ac.uk or the Women's Officer: womens@umsu.manchester.ac.uk

Section 7: Support

The Daycare Trust is an organisation providing free information and advice for parents on childcare. Their hotline provides free information and advice for parents on 020 7840 3350, Monday to Friday, 10am to 5pm. Daycare Trust

Gingerbread is a support organisation for lone parents. There is a free advice line 0800 018 5026, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. Gingerbread

Parentline plus is a confidential national telephone helpline for anyone in a parenting role, including step-parents, grandparents, lone parents, adoptive parents and families going through change. Parentline Plus provides emotional support and information on other sources of specialist help where requested. 0808 800 2222, 24 hours a day. Parentlineplus

If you have any other questions or need help, support, advice please contact the Women's Officer: womens@umsu.manchester.ac.uk