Paying for the cost of your child's learning

Details of support towards the cost of childcare, school, college or higher education.

Early Years Funding

3 and 4 Year funding

All children no matter their family circumstances are entitled to 15 hours funded early education (childcare) from the school term after their third birthday up until they start school full time. Eligible working parents are entitled to up to 30 hours funded childcare. For more information see the funded early education for 3 and 4 year olds page.

2 Year funding

Your 2 year old child may be eligible for up to 15 hours funded childcare (also known as early education entitlement) a week at a day nursery, preschool playgroup, or with a childminder. For more information see the funded early education for 2 years olds page.

9 month + funding

For children aged 9 months to 4 years, working families may be able to get 30 hours of funded early education, for 38 weeks a year, to use from the term after their child turns 9 months. For more information see the childcare for working parents of children aged 9 months to 4 years old page.

Free school meals

Since 2014, universal free school meals are available for all children in:

  • Reception/ Foundation
  • Year 1
  • Year 2

However, if you're entitled to the following benefits, you can register your child for free school dinners:

  • Income Support
  • Income-based Job Seeker's Allowance
  • Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
  • The Guarantee Credit of State Pension Credit
  • Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999.

Find out how to apply for free school meals.

School uniforms

Ask your school if they offer assistance towards the cost of buying school uniform.

Children's centres may hold information about local funding.

We do not provide any support towards the cost of school uniform.

Home to school travel

The Suffolk on Board website has information about home to school travel.

Staying in learning and training after 16 

16 to 19 Bursary Fund

Receive £1,200 bursary towards the cost of things like equipment, books or travel.

You need to be 16 to 19 and:

  • studying at school or college (not university) in England
  • on a training course, including unpaid apprenticeships

The Bursary Fund is also available for someone who is:

  • in care
  • a care leaver
  • receives income support (or Universal Credit)
  • a disabled young person receiving both Employment Support Allowance and Disability Living Allowance (or Personal Independence Payments)

Help with university and higher education costs

Financial help for students studying at university or higher education is managed by Student Finance England. This includes student loans, grants, Disabled Students' Allowances and bursaries.