What is free childcare for under fives?
Free childcare refers to the 15 or 30 hours per week that families may be eligible for. This can be from as young as 9 months (for working parents) until they are five years old and in school. The government funds these hours over 38 weeks of the year in the same way they fund school places (and we call this term time). If you want hours over more than 38 weeks, please discuss this with your provider, as several providers in Newcastle offer these hours stretched.
While we use the term free, we recognise that there may be optional extras that parents choose whether to pay for, such as extra hours, meals or activities. However, no parent should be charged a “top-up” charge if they just want to access their free hours. But remember settings may have set session lengths. If this length is 5 hours for each child, they may not be able to offer you 4 hours, but you must always have the option of paying no extra charges. Some providers will have waiting lists for places.
Will you have to pay anything?
See our charging information page.
Who pays the provider?
You will not be expected to pay for your 15 or 30 free hours. This is paid to the provider directly by their local council.
How can you use your free childcare?
You can use childcare at times that suit you. Some providers are more flexible, for instance a childminder, who might offer weekends or after 6pm. Others offer hours in 3- or 5-hour sessions within the following limits:
- No more than 10 hours a day
- Not before 6am or after 8pm
- Up to 3 different providers but no more than 2 sites per day
You should discuss with your childcare provider:
- How they offer the hours
- How you can take the free hours only
- Availability of a place
- If you want to pay for extra hours
- If there are any charges for optional extras such as food etc
How do you ensure you remain eligible for your free childcare?
For universal entitlement (15 hours for all three-and-four-year-olds) and for the two-year-old entitlement for families receiving some additional forms of government support (15 hours), once eligible, you remain eligible.
For the working entitlements only, you are required to log in to your Government Gateway account every 3 months to reconfirm you meet the working parent criteria. If you fail to do this, or no longer meet the criteria, you may lose the entitlement. However, there will be a grace period (i.e. you will not lose entitlement immediately). You can discuss this with your provider. (See reconfirmation of codes).
What about the school holidays?
Some providers are open all year round and you can discuss with them “stretching” your free hours over more weeks of the year. For instance, if you are entitled to 15 hours per week for 38 weeks this is 570 hours a year or approximately 11 hours if taken over 51 weeks.
What other support is there for childcare costs?
As well as 15 or 30 hours free childcare parents can get other help with childcare costs. See our support page.
- Tax-free childcare is for working families and can pay for 20% of childcare costs for children aged 0 to 16 years.
- Tax credits for childcare can pay up to 70% of childcare costs for those in receipt of tax credits.
- Universal Credit for childcare can pay up to 85% of childcare costs for those in receipt of Universal Credit.
- Students can get help from Care to Learn if under 20 and apply for Learning Support if at college or Childcare Grant if in higher education.
Can you start or change childcare provider mid-term:
Notice period for funding hours
Children who move or leave settings mid-term must give their current provider four weeks’ notice. If you fail to give notice, we will pay them four weeks’ notice and you will not be able to start with a new provider during this period.
Please note, providers may have different notice periods for any paid-for hours.
Mid-term starts
Children eligible for universal entitlement (15 hours for three-and-four-year-olds) or two-year-old early learning entitlement (15 hours for families receiving some additional forms of support) can start mid-term usually the Monday following application.
For working parent entitlements, if you become eligible (and get an eligibility code) mid-term you are eligible from the following term, unless you successfully appeal. Please speak to your childcare provider if you need to appeal.
Can you apply for a code whilst on parental leave? Or if you are starting a new job?
(Parental leave includes: maternity, paternity, adoption, bereaved partner paternity leave and statutory neonatal care pay)
If you are applying for childcare for an older child, who is not subject of the parental leave, you can apply as normal. You can also apply for the child that is subject of the parental leave, though when you return to work will affect when you can take up the childcare. Please see table below:
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When you start / return to work
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When you can apply from
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When your free hours can start
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1 October to 31 January
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1 September to 31 December
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1 January
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1 February to 30 April
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1 January to 31 March
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1 April
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1 May to 30 September
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1 April to 31 August
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1 September |
My child has additional needs or a disability - how can they be supported?
All providers must ensure your child has full access to free childcare and offer support if they have a disability or additional needs. They can apply to the Inclusion Fund if a child needs a higher ratio of staffing, specific equipment or resources. They will discuss this with you or other professionals involved.
Providers can receive an annual payment called Disability Access Fund for all children in receipt of Disability Living Allowance (DLA). This supports providers in being more inclusive. If your child receives DLA, please let your provider have a copy of the award letter. For each child in receipt of DLA the providers get £975* per year (*this amount is correct for 2026)
See our local offer page for more support
What if you have a concern about quality?
If you are concerned about the quality of your provider, you should raise the issue with the manager first. If you do not feel your concern has been resolved or you are still unhappy then you need to contact Ofsted directly on 0300 123 4666
What if you have a concern regarding your “free childcare offer”?
You can discuss with the Early Years team on 0191 277 4674 or email EarlyYears@newcastle.gov.uk
If you have a complaint, you should take this up with your provider first. If you are unhappy with the response, contact our team or complaints@newcastle.gov.uk