Free Childcare Funding

We have been given the opportunity from South Tyneside Council to provide free childcare places to 2-5 year olds during school term time.

3-5 year old funding

All 3 and 4-year-olds in England are entitled to 15 hours of free early education each week for 38 weeks of the year, these hours can be used flexibly over the week where spaces are available. These spaces fill up very quickly so if are interested in them please contact us. You can start claiming free early education after your child turns 3 and the date you can claim will depend on when their birthday is.

Child's birthday	When you can claim
1 January to 31 March	The beginning of term on or after 1 April
1 April to 31 August	The beginning of term on or after 1 September
1 September to 31 December	The beginning of term on or after 1 January

2-year-olds

Some 2-year-olds in England can also get free early education.

You must be getting one of the following:

• Income Support

• Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)

• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

• Support through part 6 of the Immigration and Asylum Act

• The guaranteed element of State Pension Credit

• Child Tax Credit (but not Working Tax Credit) and have an annual income not over £16,190

• The Working Tax Credit 4-week run on (the payment you get when you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit)

Children looked after by a local council are also entitled to a place. Again, if you are interested in one of these places please contact us for more information regarding them.

If your child's eligible, you can start claiming free early education after your child turns 2. The date you can claim will depend on when their birthday is:

Child's birthday	When you can claim
1 January to 31 March	The beginning of term on or after 1 April
1 April to 31 August	The beginning of term on or after 1 September
1 September to 31 December	The beginning of term on or after 1 January