All eligible children in Scotland are entitled to up to 1140 hours of funded Early Learning and Childcare each year. This entitlement is designed to give children the best possible start in life by supporting their learning, development and wellbeing, while also offering families greater flexibility and choice in how childcare is accessed across the year.
- Nursery provision for 2 year olds
Eligible 2-year-old children in Scotland are entitled to up to 1140 hours of government-funded Early Learning and Childcare annually. This service is available at some Local Authority nurseries and with some Funded Providers. The provision aims to support children's learning and developmental needs while enabling families to access high-quality Early Learning and Childcare opportunities.
- What entitlement do 2-year-olds have to Early Learning and Childcare provision?
Looked after children - Children who are subject to a Kinship Care Order from their second birthday, and children with a parent-appointed guardian are entitled up to 1140 hours of funded Early Learning and Childcare from the date of their second birthday.
All other 2-year-old children who meet the income-related eligibility criteria or who have a parent who has experienced care will become eligible for funded Early Learning and Childcare according to the term dates set out in the national eligibility schedule.
If you think you may have experienced care at any point in your life and do not meet the other qualifying criteria, please tick the Care Experienced box on the nursery application form.
You will then require a confirmation letter from your Local Authority.
For Dundee residents, please contact Children and Families Administration on 01382 307940 or email csintake.admin@dundeecity.gov.uk. They will provide the confirmation letter for you to give to your child’s nursery.
- If you receive any of the benefits listed below, your 2-year-old may be eligible for a place
- Income Support (IS) Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (IBJSA)
- Any income-related element of Employment and Support Allowance
- You may also be eligible if you are an asylum seeker receiving support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- Universal Credit where the take home pay does not exceed £885 (this can be found within Universal Credit Journal)
- Incapacity Benefit or Severe Disablement Allowance
- State Pension Credit
- Eligible birth dates for 2-year-olds for session 2025/26 and 2026/27
- Children born between 1st January 2024 and 29th February 2024 can start nursery from 20th April 2026
- Children born between 1st March 2024 and 31st August 2024 can start nursery from 18th August 2026
- Children born between 1st September 2024 and 31st December 2024 can start nursery from 7th January 2027
- Children born between 1st January 2025 and 28th February 2025 can start nursery from 12th April 2027
Where a child's birthday falls on or between the following dates: The child will become eligible from the periods set out below: 1st March - 31st August August Term 1st September - 31st December January Term 1st January - last day in February April Term - Nursery Application
You can download a paper application (132KB) and submit to your first choice nursery.
A link to the online application will be available soon.
- Nursery Provision for 3-and-4-year-olds
- What entitlement do 3-and-4-year-olds have to Early Learning and Childcare provision
Every child aged 3 or 4 years, whose parents wish it, is entitled to up to 1140 hours of funded early learning and childcare in either a Local Authority nursery or a Funded Provider. Parents may apply for a place in the setting of their choice.
Funded sessions can be delivered in a range of flexible attendance patterns, including compressed days. These options vary between establishments. For details of attendance patterns available in Local Authority nurseries, please refer to the Dundee City Council application form and Appendix 1.
Parents should contact individual Funded Providers directly for information on the patterns they offer.
While every effort is made to accommodate a parent’s preferred Local Authority nursery or Funded Provider, high demand may mean that a place in the first-choice setting cannot always be guaranteed.
Similarly, although we aim to support families’ preferred attendance patterns, it may not always be possible to meet every request. However, all efforts will be made to accommodate parental needs wherever feasible.
- Eligiable birth dates for 3-4-year-olds for session 2025/26 and 2026/27
- Children born between 1st January 2023 and 28th February 2023 can start nursery from 20th April 2026
- Children born between 1st March 2023 and 31st August 2023 can start nursery from 18th August 2026
- Children born between 1st September 2023 and 31st December 2023 can start nursery from 7th January 2027
- Children born between 1st January 2024 and 28th February 2024 can start nursery from 12th April 2027
Where a child's birthday falls on or between the following dates: The child will become eligible from the period set out below: 1st March - 31st August August term 1st September - 31st December January term 1st January - last day in February April term If your application is submitted later in the year, your child will be considered for a place but there may be fewer places available in your chosen nursery.
- Nursery Application
Download a paper application (132KB) and submit to your first choice nursery.
A link to the online application will be available soon.