Allow unpaid student teachers to access 30 hours free childcare
The Issue
My name is Kristen, and I am a trainee teacher. Despite working over 40 hours a week in a placement school and studying tirelessly to become a qualified teacher, I have lost access to 30 hours of free childcare. This is because I am no longer classified as 'employed,' which seems highly unjust considering my substantial contribution to the education system.
Student teachers like myself dedicate countless hours to their training, which leaves us with little to no time for part-time work. We work as hard, if not harder, than those in regular employment, yet we are denied the support we desperately need to balance our professional aspirations with family responsibilities.
In the UK, student teachers who work full-time placements without receiving a wage are unfairly excluded from accessing the 30 hours of free childcare that could significantly alleviate our financial burden and help us focus on our careers. According to the Department for Education, this initiative was created to help working parents with children aged 3 to 4 reduce the cost of childcare, yet it overlooks those in training positions who are effectively employed without pay.
This policy gap means families like mine, where one or both parents are student teachers, struggle to afford childcare and are forced to make tough decisions that could delay or derail our professional goals.
We urge the UK Government and relevant educational authorities to recognise the hard work and dedication of trainee teachers. By making unpaid student teachers who work full-time placements eligible for the 30 hours free childcare scheme, they can truly support educators in training and demonstrate their commitment to fostering the future of teaching in the UK.
Please sign this petition to call for an amendment to the current policy.
Support the valuable contributions made by trainee teachers and help us and our families receive equitable access to childcare resources. Your signature could make a significant difference in the lives of many families striving to balance their dreams with family obligations.
Below are correspondence between my local MP and the Minister for Early Education, this is an issue I believe needs raising further.
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The Issue
My name is Kristen, and I am a trainee teacher. Despite working over 40 hours a week in a placement school and studying tirelessly to become a qualified teacher, I have lost access to 30 hours of free childcare. This is because I am no longer classified as 'employed,' which seems highly unjust considering my substantial contribution to the education system.
Student teachers like myself dedicate countless hours to their training, which leaves us with little to no time for part-time work. We work as hard, if not harder, than those in regular employment, yet we are denied the support we desperately need to balance our professional aspirations with family responsibilities.
In the UK, student teachers who work full-time placements without receiving a wage are unfairly excluded from accessing the 30 hours of free childcare that could significantly alleviate our financial burden and help us focus on our careers. According to the Department for Education, this initiative was created to help working parents with children aged 3 to 4 reduce the cost of childcare, yet it overlooks those in training positions who are effectively employed without pay.
This policy gap means families like mine, where one or both parents are student teachers, struggle to afford childcare and are forced to make tough decisions that could delay or derail our professional goals.
We urge the UK Government and relevant educational authorities to recognise the hard work and dedication of trainee teachers. By making unpaid student teachers who work full-time placements eligible for the 30 hours free childcare scheme, they can truly support educators in training and demonstrate their commitment to fostering the future of teaching in the UK.
Please sign this petition to call for an amendment to the current policy.
Support the valuable contributions made by trainee teachers and help us and our families receive equitable access to childcare resources. Your signature could make a significant difference in the lives of many families striving to balance their dreams with family obligations.
Below are correspondence between my local MP and the Minister for Early Education, this is an issue I believe needs raising further.
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Petition created on 6 January 2026