What this guide is
This guide explains who can get a free nursery or childcare place and what age they should start nursery.
Nursery and childcare places for 3 and 4-year-olds
Children's entitlement of up to 1140 hours of free nursery or childcare is based on the school year, which starts in August.
Usually, children in the same school year are born between the beginning of March one year and the end of February the following year.
When your child can start nursery depends on when their 3rd birthday is during the year:
| If their 3rd birthday is in: | They can start in: |
|---|---|
| March to August | August / autumn term |
| September | October |
| October | November |
| November | December |
| December | January |
| January | February |
| February | March |
Children who turn 3 years of age between March and August are entitled to an early learning and childcare place when the new school year begins in August.
Children aged 3 who were born between September and February can get a free early learning and childcare place from the month after their 3rd birthday.
The same schedule will apply each year.
We have a nursery, early learning and childcare admissions policy to make sure places are allocated fairly and transparently:
Children who meet priority 1 or 2 of the admissions policy will start earlier than the dates listed in the table above. We’ll agree the exact date with you.
Find out how you can use your free nursery or childcare hours.
Find out how to apply for a free nursery or childcare place and when to apply.
Nursery and childcare places for 2-year-olds
Children aged 2 can get a free nursery or childcare place if they:
- are, or have been, looked after by a council,
- are subject to a supervision order,
- are in kinship or foster care,
- are with an appointed guardian
- are the child of a care-experienced parent
- live in a household that gets a qualifying benefit.
Find out who can get funded nursery or childcare places for two-year-olds (mygov.scot).
If your child is eligible for a free nursery place or childcare, they can start nursery or childcare at the beginning of one of the school terms.
When your 2-year-old will start nursery depends on when their birthday is during the year:
| If their birthday is between: | They can start in: |
|---|---|
| 1 March and 31 August | August / autumn term |
| 1 September and 31 December | January / spring term following their birthday |
| 1 January and last day February | April / summer term following their birthday |
Find out how you can use your free nursery or childcare hours.
Find out how to apply for a free nursery or childcare place and when to apply.
Nursery and childcare places for children aged 0 to 2 years
There are some nursery or childcare places available for children aged 0 to 2 years.
However, children aged 0 to 2 years are not entitled to 1140 hours of free nursery and childcare.
These placements are limited and prioritised for children who meet certain criteria, as outlined in our early learning and childcare admissions policy:
Some private and voluntary nurseries and childminders may provide places for children aged 2 or under.
You can contact the individual nurseries or childminders to see what they offer.