Holiday childcare for school aged children
There is also a wide range of holiday childcare in Newcastle. This may be delivered by your school, wraparound provision or childminder. For more information visit our Children and Families Home page
Newcastle’s Best Holiday Ever programme
Newcastle’s Best Holiday Ever is a programme funded by the Department for Education for children aged 5-16 who are in need or eligible for benefits-related free school meals. See website for details:
Find out if your child is eligible for free school meals.
It is designed for families in Newcastle during the Easter, Summer and Christmas school holidays to help children, young people and their parents have fulfilling, active, fun-filled and healthy experiences. Different events take place in different parts of the city. Each area of the city has its own timetable:
Wraparound childcare
As part of a government initiative, wraparound childcare for primary school children across Newcastle is expanding.
What is wraparound childcare?
Wraparound childcare is before and after school care that wraps around the school day. This is for primary school-aged children (Reception to year 6).
Wraparound childcare providers:
- offer regular, reliable, high-quality play opportunities for school-aged children, typically from 8am in the morning and until 6pm in the afternoon but this may vary to meet local needs
- typically operate for primary school-aged children (Reception to year 6) but may also provide care for nursery class children
- sometimes also provide holiday care
- can operate on or off school site
- include Ofsted registered childminders
Wraparound childcare is different from out-of-school activities, or school clubs, which are less frequent and can be a one-off activity.
How much will it cost and is financial support available?
Providers will set their own fees for wraparound places, so prices will vary. Parents and carers will pay their wraparound childcare provider directly for their child’s place.
If you are eligible, you will be able to use:
Best start in life / how to use tax free childcare or
Best start in life / how Universal credit in childcare works.
to help pay for your place. You might also be able to get help with your initial upfront childcare costs. Check what support is available to you by visiting Best Start in life
Who is eligible for wraparound childcare?
All parents with primary school-aged children are eligible to access wraparound childcare.
Will this affect the free breakfast club at my child’s school?
No, this will not replace an existing free breakfast club, although an earlier start may be available for a fee.
How do I find wraparound childcare near me?
Parents looking for childcare options for their school-aged child should speak to their child’s school. If wraparound care is unavailable, please contact the wraparound team at wraparound@newcastle.gov.uk
Parents should see an increase in the number of wraparound childcare places available across the city from September 2025.