We offer the universal 15 hours funded places for children attending nursery in addition to 30 hours places for eligible 3 and 4 year olds.  These hours are flexible and can be used in our nursery or shared with another provider. Parents and carers of 3 and 4 year olds will need to meet the following criteria in order to be eligible for 30 hours funding.  

They earn or expect to earn the equivalent to 16 hours at National Minimum or Living Wage over the coming three months.

• This equates to £120 a week (or £6,000 a year) for each parent over 25 years old or £112.80 a week (or £5,800 a year) for each parent between 21 and 24 years old.

• This applies whether you are in paid employment, self-employed or on zero hours contract.

• The parent (and their partner where applicable) should be seeking the free childcare to enable them to work.

• Where one or both parents are on maternity, paternity, shared parental or adoption leave, or if they are on statutory sick leave.

• Where one parent meets the income criteria and the other is unable to work because they are disabled, have caring responsibilities or have been assessed as having limited capability to work.

• Where a parent is in a ‘start-up period’ (example: they are newly self-employed) they do not need to demonstrate that they meet the income criteria for 12 months.

• If a non-EEA national, the parent must have recourse to public funds.

Further information about accessing this funding can be found here on the South Tyneside Council website or by speaking to a member of our friendly office team in school.