mature student any help with childcare?

I am a single mum on one-parent family benefit hoping to do a H dip in education to become a teacher. I know I would be entitled to back to education allowance, but the problem is that I would have to pay the campus creche fees of 137 per wk out of this, leaving me with only about 85 euro for me and my baby to live on. I have seen that there might be some sort of grant to cover the fees but does anyone know if there is anything else to help with childcare costs? I can't find much info on the internet and I asked citizensinformation and they said I could apply for some sort of locally funded grant once I was on the course but didn't know for sure whether I'd get anything or how much I might get. I really need to know beforehand though because I won't be able to do the course without some financial help. Thanks

Did you contact the college to see if they have any grants you could apply for? Are you getting Early Childcare pauyments? Child Benefit? There is no SW payment for actual creche fees.

I feel for you as im in the same position with my 3 yr old and 8 yr old.My nursing course starts in 2 weeks.9AM-4PM and im bewildered with this silly low payment from s.w.

What college will you be attending?

i was told there is 63.50eiros per week for childcare on vtos.
going to start in a week ,stiill dont know- if,how and when the moneys coming.i found it very frustrating,as i've put deposit in playschool and they are expecting the monthly fees, like, now. i dont know what to do...
as well,the playschool charging for summer holidays-52weeks.

Hi! just to let you know- i had GOOD news today.i will recieve 127 e per week for my 2 boys to have afterschool care.the playschool is 775 per month , i will be paying 225.so finally... and they are starting to pay from next week even i'm only going in for one day,so that means t boys will have time to settle in.

congrats. Good luck with school.

Mel said:

What college will you be attending?

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I asked this not to be nosey but because the Student's union of the college I went to helped out with creche fees. It would be worth giving them a call.

Mel- It's NUI maynooth. The fees for their creche were discounted to 137euro per wk for students so I assumed that was all the help I would get from the university itself. I will contact the student union just to see though, thanks.
Meitina- what is VTOS? Does it cover a H Dip course?

please look up- studentfinance.ie
could give u idea whats there for you.