Early Years childcare
15 and 30 hours childcare
The current offer
Eligible working parents and carers of children aged 3 – 4 can get an additional 15 hours of childcare support, bringing the total support they can get up to 30 hours a week. Eligible working parents of 2-year-olds can also access 15 hours of childcare support.
Some parents of 2-year-old children may also be entitled to 15 hours childcare support, if they receive some additional forms of government support. Please note, if you’re eligible for both the working entitlement and the 15 hours for families receiving support, you cannot take up both offers, and should apply for the 15 hours for families receiving support. You can do this by contacting your local authority.
Your hours can be used per week for 38 weeks of the year (during school term time). You may be able use your hours for up to 52 weeks if you use fewer than your total hours per week. Check with your childcare provider to find out if this is something they offer.
You can use Tax-Free Childcare or Universal Credit Childcare whilst claiming your 15 or 30 hours of childcare support.
The expanded offer
From April 2024, eligible working parents of 2-year-olds can access 15 hours childcare support. By September 2025, most working families with children aged between 9 months and 5 years old will be entitled to 30 hours of childcare support.
The changes are being introduced gradually to make sure that providers can meet the needs of more families. This means that:
From September 2024
15 hours childcare support will be extended to eligible working parents of children from the age of 9 months to 3-year-olds.
From September 2025
Eligible working parents of children from 9 months to school age will be entitled to 30 hours of childcare a week.
Like the existing offer, depending on your provider, these hours can be used over 38 weeks of the year (during school term time), or up to 52 weeks if you use fewer than your total hours per week.
How many hours childcare can you get per week?
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15 Hours From Sept 2024
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30 Hours From Sept 2025
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15 Hours Now
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15 Hours Now
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30 Hours From Sept 2025
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15 Hours Now
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30 Hours Now
*38 weeks a year. Eligibility criteria apply. Providers may ask for additional charges.
Free Nursery Places
Please also see latest news on 30 hours of free chidcare in our News section or click below.
15/30 hours free childcare available now at Tynemouth Nursery
When can my Child start free Nursery Education?
Your child becomes eligible for a free Government Early Years Nursery Education Grant from the start of the school term after their third birthday. This means that most three year olds will be able to start a free Nursery or Pre-School place in the September, January or April following their third birthday.
Your child’s birthday must be before:
• 31 March will be eligible for free Pre-School education from the Summer Term (April)
• 31 August will be eligible for free Pre-School education from the Autumn Term (September)
• 31 December will be eligible for free Pre-School education from the Spring term (January)
How many funded hours can my Child have?
Your Child is entitled to a maximum of 15 hours per week for 38 weeks of the year. This is split into five 3 hour sessions, we can adjoin two sessions together in the same day.
How do I get free Nursery Education?
Parents do not need to apply for the funding. Each term Tynemouth Nursery claims on behalf of the parents for the number of sessions their child will be attending and the Local Authority will then pay the funding directly to us.
The funding is not paid directly to parents. Your fees will be reduced to reflect the number of free hours you wish your child to receive.
Remember you may also be entitled to the Working Families Tax Credit to help you with the cost of child care fees not covered by the Early Years Education Funding.
What do I do now?
To obtain free childcare (for 3-4 year olds) simply choose your preferred nursery below and book a visit on line.
Tynemouth Nursery
Tynemouth Nursery at the Academy
Tynemouth Nursery at Billy Mill
Tynemouth Nursery at Jesmond
