Early learning and childcare

This advice applies to Scotland. See advice for See advice for England, See advice for Northern Ireland, See advice for Wales

What is early learning and childcare

Early learning and childcare is the childcare and education of children from birth until they start school.

Early learning and childcare covers a range of services, for example:

private nurseries
school nurseries
childminders
playgroups.

Children might be entitled to some free early learning and childcare. Each local council has a legal duty to provide early learning and childcare for eligible children in its area whose parents want them to attend.

Free early learning and childcare for children aged 3 or 4

All children aged 3 or 4 years can get free part-time early learning and childcare. When they become eligible depends on their birthday. Local councils must make sure there are enough places for all 3- and 4 year-olds whose parents want them to attend. Children whose birthdays are:

on or between 1 March and 31 August are eligible for a place in the autumn term
on or between 1 September and 31 December are eligible for a place in the spring term
on or between 1 January and the last day of

February are eligible for a place in the summer term. The entitlement continues until the end of the school term before they’re eligible to start primary school.

Free early learning and childcare for children aged 2

Your child can get free early learning and childcare when they’re 2 years old if one or more of the following apply. You:

care for a child who is 'looked after' by the local council
are a kinship carer
are a guardian
get a qualifying benefit.

If a child is at risk of becoming a 'looked after' child or has a parent who was in care, the local council can decide to offer them free early learning and childcare.

You can read more about funded early learning and childcare on mygov.scot.

How much free early learning and childcare eligible children can get

Children who are eligible for free early learning and childcare are entitled to 1,140 hours of funded early learning and childcare over the school year. This means a child can get either:

30 hours a week during term time, or
22 hours a week over the full year.

Children do not have to have pre-school early learning and childcare. You can decide if you think your child will benefit or not. You can discuss this with your local nursery or local council.

Find more information about early learning and childcare on the Parent Club website.

Deferring a child's entry into primary school and their entitlement to early learning and childcare

Children born between March and the start of the school year in August typically start primary school at the age of 5.

Children born between the start of the school year and February typically start primary school at the age of 4.

If your child is 4 years old at the start of the school year, you can defer their entry for a year.

All children who defer entry into primary school can automatically get funded early learning and childcare.

Types of early learning and childcare

Local councils provide early learning and childcare in different ways, for example:

local council nursery schools
nursery classes in primary schools
local council or private day nurseries
nursery classes in independent schools
playgroups
childminders
child and family centres run by social work departments
community childcare centres
college, university or workplace nurseries.

Not all childcare services offer funded early learning and childcare places. Local councils are in charge of commissioning places. Providers must work in partnership with them.

To find out more about what’s available in your area, check your local council website Find your local council on mygov.scot.

How to choose an early learning and childcare place

You can arrange to visit early learning and childcare providers in your area before you apply for a place. You should make an appointment before visiting so that staff have time to talk to you and answer your questions. You can also ask to see the provider's most recent inspection report.

You can find information for parents of pre-school and school age children on Parentzone Scotland.

If you want your child to go to an early learning and childcare provider outside your local council, you should speak to your local council.

How to apply for an early learning and childcare place

You should check with your local council or your chosen provider about how to apply for a place for your child. Demand for places with some early learning and childcare providers might be high. You might need to put your child's name on the provider's waiting list.

You can find your local council on mygov.scot.

What children do in early learning and childcare

Children in early learning and childcare are encouraged to learn through play. The staff in an early learning and childcare setting will arrange activities to help your child learn and develop.

All early learning and childcare providers must follow the early stage of the Curriculum for Excellence. You can find information about the early stage of the Curriculum for Excellence on the Education Scotland website.

Staff in an early learning and childcare setting will monitor your child’s progress and plan next steps in their learning.

Early learning and childcare providers should share information about your child’s progress with the primary school they’re going to.

Children with additional support needs

If your child has additional needs, you should contact the local council to discuss this. Your child should be given priority in the allocation of an early learning and childcare place. They might also be able to stay on at pre-school early learning and childcare after their fifth birthday if this would be helpful.

Help with paying for extra learning and childcare

You have to pay for any extra hours of early learning and childcare on top of the free hours. The cost depends on the provider. You might be able to get help with the cost.

If you get Universal Credit, you might be able to get the childcare cost element. Check how much Universal Credit you should be getting.

The Best Start Grant Early Learning Payment

The Best Start Grant Early Learning Payment is a one-off payment of £319.80.

You can apply for it if you:

are the parent or carer of a child aged between 2 and 3 and a half.
get certain benefits.

Find out more about the Best Start Grant.

Help with early learning and childcare if you work

There are schemes available to help you with the costs of childcare if you work:

tax-free childcare - an online account that the government will add £2 to for every £8 paid in by the working parent.
childcare vouchers through your employer - this scheme ended in September 2018 for new applications but continues for those in the scheme.

Get more information on helping to pay for childcare on the Scottish government website.

Regulation of early learning and childcare providers

All early learning and childcare providers must register with the Care Inspectorate. The Care Inspectorate looks at how early learning and childcare services support the health and well-being of children.

The Care Inspectorate and Education Scotland carry out joint inspections of early learning and childcare centres.

You can find an inspection report on the Education Scotland website.

How to complain about an early learning and childcare provider

All early learning and childcare providers must have a complaints procedure. If you have a complaint, you should make it to the early learning and childcare provider first.

If you’re not happy with the response, you should check the complaints procedure for how to escalate your complaint.

You can also make a complaint to the Care Inspectorate. The Care Inspectorate tells Education Scotland about any education issues arising from complaints.

Find out more about complaints on the Care Inspectorate website.

Find out more about making a complaint about social work or social care services.