30 hours free childcare for 3 and 4 year olds
How you can use your free childcare
If you are eligible for the extended entitlement, you can take up to 1140 hours free childcare across the year. You do not have to take the full amount. This can be taken term time only or 'stretched' across the year, as follows:
- up to 30 hours per week across 38 weeks per year or (term time offer)
- up to 23.75 hours per week across 48 weeks per year or (stretched offer)
- up to 22.25 hours per week across 51 weeks of the year (stretched offer)
Please note, not all providers may be able to offer the stretched offer, the full 30 hours per week, or the particular pattern of provision that you need however, you can split your entitlement across more than one provider.
Depending on the provision you choose, you will be able to access your free childcare:
- between 6am - 8pm
- up to a maximum of 10 free hours per day, 30 hours per week
- across a maximum of three providers, across a maximum of two sites per day
See a list of providers in South Tyneside currently offering 30 hours free childcare.
Providers who don't offer the extra hours
Some providers will not be able to deliver the offer, perhaps due to restrictions on their premises. Others may choose to remain as sessional care.
Individual providers do not have to offer the full day and can select their opening hours to meet local need. They may wish to work in partnership with other providers to make a full day.
You are able to access the entitlement across three different providers at most.