help needed for access or A levels

**gemmie** · 31-08-2006, 05:05 PM

Hi
I know loads of people always ask this but I am going to ask it again. Basically I have ben offered a place at Mancat doing the access course but I can't get my children ( 2 year old twins ) into the nursery. So basically I thought of just doing my Alevels instead. I didn't do any A levels at school so they won't be seen as a retake but I am not sure if this will be the better option. Can someone please help me I really don't know what to do. xx

**Madimi** · 31-08-2006, 07:29 PM

Oh that's such a shame Gemmie!
I think you'll struggle to do A levels in one year - the hardest bit is actually finding somewhere to do them part time! For example, Wigan where I live, isn't doing Chemistry or Biology this year, only Sociology and Psychology and even then only at AS level. Med schools want the sciences to A2 standard so you'd have to go with the full time students in the day. I don't think they'd let you do AS and A2 in the same year so you'd have to do them over 2 years.
Not sure if that's very helpful for you. :-(

**vicxzy** · 31-08-2006, 08:01 PM

Can you not get them into another nursery? surely it will be subsidised if you are studying anyway if not free?

**krpto** · 31-08-2006, 08:20 PM

Vicxzy is right. Most colleges have a subsidised nursery that is funded either by the LEA or the local council. Course fees are free, and having your children with you will give you a more flexible approach to study......e.g childminders robbing you blind will not be an issue lol

**Jonathan Ford** · 31-08-2006, 09:02 PM

I really don't want to piss on anyones cornflakes, but it's really not that simple. I've just been declined funding for childcare by MANCAT, though I am appealing. I am unemployed, and have been pretty much since last December, but I don't get any state benefits. My wife is a registered nurse, working irregular shifts, and we have two children. For me to go to MANCAT, I have to put the girls in breakfast and afterschool clubs (I live in Derbyshire, 55 miles and 2 hours away), costing £85 a week, but the college can't help. I will also have to pay full fees (£1488 course fees + £80 exam fee). So for me to do Access it will cost somewhere in the region of £800 a month. Which sucks.

**krpto** · 31-08-2006, 09:13 PM

Sorry if this seems patronising.......but have you applied to the LEA for their childcare grant

**gemmie** · 01-09-2006, 01:14 AM

Hi
well I have tried to talk to Mancat about their childcare bursery but noone seems to know anything and when I try and ring the advice people they are engaged. I am going to go in tomorrow and see if someone will help me. Hopefully I will be able to get help but its a bit late now we stary in 2 weeks !

**Jonathan Ford** · 01-09-2006, 03:15 AM

Originally Posted by krpto

Sorry if this seems patronising.......but have you applied to the LEA for their childcare grant

I'd really like to be proved wrong, but it is my understanding that there is no support available from the LEA in respect of an Access course as it is neither Further or Higher education.

**gemmie** · 01-09-2006, 11:47 PM

Yeh I have already tried the LEA, in fact I tried them first because I wanted my kids to go to a nursery near me but they told me that I wasn't elligible for the grant. Anymore ideas anyone ? xx

**roshan19_2004** · 02-09-2006, 03:54 AM

well you did you guy try to apply student financial help service. they offer grant for students going in the college for higher education as well as access. they also pay for children studies. here is the website: www.studentfinancedirect.co.uk

submit an application and hopefully they can help out. another thing you can do is apply charity, lawrence charity they do pay up to 3500pounds per year. so its a great one. so give it a try you might be able to get help from them. im going to apply as well. try ALG ( Adult Learning Grant) as well

hope it helps you folks....