Funded early learning and childcare

All children aged 3 and 4 years are entitled to up to 1,140 hours of funded early learning and childcare a year. 

You can access funded early learning and childcare at a provider of your choice depending on availability.

Search the early learning and childcare directory

The number of funded hours and start dates depend on your child's date of birth.

How to register

In January you will receive a letter and registration form for your 3-year-old.

Complete the form and take it to the provider of your choice. Remember to also take your:

• child's UK birth certificate – if your child was not born in the UK, take a passport or ID card instead
• proof of your address

If your child is already accessing early learning and childcare, your provider will give you a form. 

How places are allocated

Places at council nurseries are allocated based on priority groupings. 

Priority groups

Group 1 is the highest priority and group 13 is the lowest priority. The 13 priority groups are:

1. Year 1 and Year 2 children with additional support needs including Looked After Children and Care Experienced children 
2. children who have deferred entry to school and are applying to the same nursery
3. Year 2 children residing in families within the nursery zone where both parents/carers or lone parents require the place for work/training purposes 
4. Year 1 children residing in families within the nursery zone where both parents/carers or lone parents require the place for work/training purposes
5. Year 2 children residing in families within the nursery zone with siblings already in the school/nursery
6. Year 1 children residing in families within the nursery zone with siblings already in the school/nursery
7. Year 2 children within the nursery zone
8. deferred entry within the nursery zone that are transferring from another nursery
9. Year 1 children within the nursery zone
10. children out with the nursery zone who are applying to the same nursery they attended in their first year and who have siblings in the school/nursery
11. children out with the nursery zone who have siblings in the school/nursery
12. children out with the nursery zone who are applying to the same nursery they attended in their first year
13. children out with the nursery zone

Check your nursery zone area – Near Me

What happens next

Once you have applied, the provider will write to tell you their decision. 

If your local authority nursery is oversubscribed, an officer will contact you directly to discuss options. 

If your details change after you register, you must contact the provider(s) so that any changes can be made.

Starting school

Most children start school between 4 years 6 months and 5 years old. It is possible to start children later in certain circumstances.

These children may be entitled to an extra year of funded early learning and childcare. Children who turn 5 between the start of the school year in August to the last day in February are automatically entitled to defer entry and receive an extra year of funded early learning and childcare.

Find out more about deferred entry to Primary 1.