Free childcare for under fives

Could you be entitled to help with childcare costs? Get the help that fits with your family.

The government has expanded the funding for Early Years to help with childcare costs. 

What is available:

• Some families of two-year-olds are eligible for 15 hours per week free childcare 
• Since April 2024, eligible working parents with children aged two will have access to 15 hours free childcare. See Childcare choices
• All three-and-four-year-olds are eligible for a universal 15 hours childcare per week. 
• And some three-and-four-year-olds of working parents may be entitled to an additional 15 hours free childcare each week. 

• Other help with costs - tax free childcare, universal credit for childcare, support while you study, help for households. 

   

• Since September 2024, the 15 hours childcare offer has been expanded to eligible working parents for children between 9 and 23 months old. 

   

• September 2025, eligible working parents with children between 9 months up to school age will have access to 30 hours childcare. 

Support is also expanding for primary-school aged children - from September 2024, parents can expect to see an expansion in the availability of childcare in their local area before and after school, between 8am and 6pm, also known as 'wraparound care'.

When would free childcare start? 

Free childcare can start from the term AFTER your child turns the relevant age. 

It is for 38 weeks of the year. Some providers will stretch funding over more weeks which means less hours per week. Speak to your childcare provider. 

Please find attached a brochure which explains all that you need to know. See attachment below - Free early years childcare brochure 2024

Who is eligible for the working parent entitlements?

Working parents where:

• Both parents (or sole parent in one parent family) are working and earn an average at least the equivalent of 16 hours at the national minimum wage and less than £100,000 

  (see National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage rates - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)  

  or

• As above where one parent is working, and the second parent is not working but receiving an eligible carer benefit or is unable to work and receiving an eligible disability benefit. 

How to get help or apply:

• To see if you are eligible or to apply visit Childcare Choices or Apply for free childcare if you're working or phone Childcare Choices on 0300 123 4097. 

  Note - if you already have a Tax-Free childcare account, please apply no sooner than 4 weeks before your reconfirmation date.

• If you are on maternity, paternity or parental leave or starting a new job, application deadlines are as follows: 

• Sign up to get local information about the new entitlements for 2024 

   

• Speak to your local childcare provider and sign up now (places can get booked up early). Use our Postcode Search to find childcare near you. 

   

• Get in touch with the Early Years Sector Support team at Newcastle City Council - email EarlyYears@newcastle.gov.uk or phone 0191 277 4674

The government updates regularly on any new changes/updates. 

Please check back with this page frequently. Thank you.