Service request

What wraparound care is

You may be able to buy additional childcare hours around your child’s 1140 hours of free nursery and childcare entitlement at council-run nurseries.  

This is called wraparound care.

Private and voluntary nurseries and childminders may provide wraparound places. You should contact your preferred setting directly for more information.

Who can apply

Parents or paid carers can purchase additional care around their child’s free  nursery and childcare entitlement to support their employments, training or education. 

This wraparound care can be during school term-time, extended hours during the day or during the year (such as school holidays). 

You can also purchase early learning and childcare for children from birth to 3 years of age. This will depend on what is available at each nursery.

Wraparound provision is prioritised in line with our  nursery, early learning and childcare admissions policy criteria:

How much it costs

You’ll be charged at the current rate for wraparound care set by the council. The head of your preferred nursery can tell you what this rate is.

You may be able to get a discount if:

• you are a student in full time education
• you’ll have more than one child going to the nursery or childminder
• Pension Guarantee Credit
• Income Support
• Job Seekers Allowance (Income Based)
• Maximum working Tax Credit- income threshold applies
• Tax Credit with a Disability Element
• Council Tax Reduction Scheme
• Housing Benefit
• Employment and support allowance (Income Related)
• Attendance allowance  
• Disability Living Allowances (Child Element)
• Universal Credit - income threshold applies
• qualifying benefits in line with free school meals and / or clothing grants.

We’ll invoice you every 4 weeks.

You can make payments:

• at our council offices
• at your post office
• by telephone
• using childcare vouchers.

You'll need to complete and sign an agreement to purchase additional (wraparound) childcare before your child takes up their place. This will be a legal contract between you and Renfrewshire Council.

Your child's place will then be reviewed every 6 months.

Before you apply

You should contact the head of your child’s council-run nursery or childminder to discuss your request and your requirements first.

How to apply

 Download and fill in the application form to purchase additional (wraparound) care:

You’ll need to provide your requirements, including what additional hours of childcare you need, in your application.

You can then return this form to your child’s council-run nursery or childminder.

After you’ve applied 

The head of the nursery will review your application first. If they can offer you a place or the hours you want, your placement will then need to be approved by the Admissions Panel, who are responsible for the allocation of places.  

The head of the nursery or childminder will let you know if your application has been successful or not.

Our decision

We apply an admissions policy to ensure all applications are treated fairly and transparently.  

See our admissions policy for early learning and childcare:

If you're not happy with our decision or feel we have not considered your application properly, you should discuss this with the head of the nursery.

You can also contact Children's Services for more information or advice by:

• email cssupport@renfrewshire.gov.uk
• phone 0300 300 0170.

Or write to us at:

Children's Services 
Council Headquarters 
Renfrewshire House 
Cotton Street 
Paisley 
PA1 1TZ

More information

Find out more information on childminders, after school, holiday and activity clubs for school age children (Parent Club). 

What a deferred entry to primary school is  

If your child reaches the age of 5 between 1 March 2027 and 29 February 2028, they should start primary school in August 2027.  

If your child is still 4 years old on the day they would start Primary 1 (P1), you can ask for an additional year of free nursery or childcare and apply to defer their entry to primary school.  

This means they will start school the following year, when they have turned 5.  

Find out more about what a free nursery or childcare place is.

Who can get an additional year at nursery or childcare 

You can ask for an additional year of free nursery or childcare if:

• they are still 4 years old on the date they are eligible to start school
• their 5th birthday is on or between the first day of term in August 2027 and 29 February 2028 and you feel they would benefit from an extra year of nursery  
• they have significant additional support needs.

Defer your child’s place at Primary School

There are 3 steps you must complete to ask for an additional year at nursery or childcare and defer your child’s entry to school:

1. contact your child's nursery or childcare centre to let them know that you would like an additional year of free early learning and childcare.
2. register your child for Primary 1 (P1) at school, but select on the form that you want to defer their start at primary school for a year. The registration period usually takes place during the first week in November. If you miss the registration period, contact your local catchment school to arrange registration.
3. apply to defer your child’s entry to primary school online.

You can ask your child's current nursery or childcare centre to help you if you have any problems completing the forms.

After you’ve applied

We’ll send you a letter to confirm that a deferred entry to school has been agreed.

Once you get your letter confirming the deferred entry, you'll need to register your child at their local school again next year. Their school place for this year will be offered to another child.

You can ask for your child to continue at their current nursery or childcare provider, or we can provide them with a funded place at one of our council-run nurseries or council-funded nurseries or childminders.  

If you want your child to go to a private nursery or childminder not funded by us, you will have to pay for this cost.

Early entry to school

If you would like your child to start school before their 5th birthday, you can find out what to consider and how to apply for early entry to school.

More information

If you would like more information or advice, you can contact our Children's Services by:

• email cssupport@renfrewshire.gov.uk
• phone 0300 300 0170  

Or write to us at:

Children's Services
Council Headquarters
Renfrewshire House
Cotton Street
Paisley
PA1 1TZ

Mar a chlàraicheas sibh ur clann airson foghlam Gàidhlig

Clann a’ tòiseachadh na bunsgoile

Ma tha sibh a’ fuireach ann an Siorrachd Rinn Friù agus ma tha dùil ann gun tòisich ur pàiste ann an Clas 1 (C1), dh’fhaodadh sibh clàradh airson Foghlam tro Mheadhan na Gàidhlig aig Bunsgoil an Iar.

’S urrainn dhuibh seo a dhèanamh air-loidhne aig àm a’ chlàraidh.

Faighibh a-mach barrachd mu chlàradh airson Clas 1 aig an sgoil.

Ma tha sibh a’ gluasad a Shiorrachd Rinn Friù

Ma tha sibh a’ gluasad a Shiorrachd Rinn Friù agus ma tha ur pàiste ann am Foghlam tro Mheadhan na Gàidhlig mar-thà ann an sgìre eile, bu chòir dhuibh greim fhaighinn air Bunsgoil an Iar gus còmhradh a ghabhail mu ur pàiste a’ gluasad don sgoil.  

Gheibh sibh greim air a’ cheannard le:

Às dèidh ur clàradh airson Foghlam tro Mheadhan na Gàidhlig

Gheibh Bunsgoil an Iar greim oirbh le cuireadh gu sèisean fiosrachaidh agus tachartasan eile gus taic a thoirt do ur pàiste ag eadar-gluasad don sgoil.  

Bidh cothrom ann tadhal air an sgoil agus coinneachadh ri na luchd-obrach, coimhead air na clasaichean agus sgoil san fharsaingeachd.  Faodaidh sibh ceistean sam bith a tha agaibh fhaighneachd.

Ma tha ur pàiste ann an sgoil-àraich bruidhnidh a’ bhunsgoil ris an sgoil-àraich mu thaic sam bith a dh’fheumar airson na h-eadar-gluasaid.  

Ma tha feumalachdan taice a bharrachd (FTB) aig ur pàiste no ma dh’fheumas sibh taic a bharrachd sam bith a thaobh an eadar-gluasaid, bu chòir dhuibh greim fhaighinn air a’ cheannard le:

Còmhdhail sgoile

Ma tha ur pàiste a’ frithealadh Foghlam tro Mheadhan na Gàidhlig aig Bunsgoil an Iar, bheir sinn còmhdhail dhaibh ma tha iad a’ fuireach nas fhaide na 1 mhìle air falbh bhon sgoile.

Faighibh a-mach cò as urrainn còmhdhail sgoile fhaighinn.

Foghlam tro Mheadhan na Gàidhlig aig ìre na h-àrd-Sgoile

Chan eil Foghlam tro Mheadhan na Gàidhlig aig ìre na h-àrd-sgoile aig Siorrachd Rinn Friù an-dràsta.  

Ma tha ur pàiste a’ frithealadh Bunsgoil an Iar agus ma tha iad airson cumail orra le foghlam Gàidhlig anns an àrd-sgoil, feumaidh sibh iarrtas a chuir a-steach gu ùghdarras ionadail eile aig a bheil e.

’S e ‘Iarrtas àite-sgoile’ a tha seo.  Feumaidh sibh iarrtas àite-sgoile a chuir a-steach leis an ùghdarras ionadail eile.  

Mura h-eil ur pàiste airson cumail orra le foghlam Gàidhlig faodaidh sibh iarraidh air àite aig an àrd-sgoil anns an sgìre-sgoile aca fhèin ann an Siorrachd Rinn Friù.

Mar a bheir sibh taic do ur pàiste ann am foghlam Gàidhlig

Ma tha ur pàiste ann am Foghlam tro Mheadhan na Gàidhlig aig Bunsgoil an Iar, chan eil feum aca air Gàidhlig a bhruidhinn aig an taigh.

Ged nach eil feum air Gàidhlig aig an taigh, bheir e taic mhòr do leasachadh cànain aig ur pàiste ma brosnaicheas sibh iad a’ leughadh, a’ sgrìobhadh, ag èisteachd ri agus a’ bruidhinn na Gàidhlig taobh a-muigh na sgoile.  

Bheir iad buannachd mhòr bhon àrainneachd bhogaidh a tha ann am Foghlam tro Mheadhan na Gàidhlig oir tha fianais ag innse gu bheil e:

• nas fhasa a bhith a’ fàs fileanta ann an Gàidhlig ma thòiseachas iad a h-ionnsachadh aig aois òg.
• nas fhasa cànain eile ionnsachadh.
• a’ leasachadh nan sgìlean cognatach aca leis a bhith a’ bruidhinn nas motha na aon chànan.

Airson cuideachadh a’ lorg cothroman gus na sgìlean Gàidhlig agaibh a leasachadh, cuir post-d gu: cssupport@renfrewshire.gov.uk.

Barrachd fiosrachaidh

Ma tha sibh ag iarraidh barrachd fhiosrachaidh mu Fhoghlam tro Mheadhan na Gàidhlig aig Bunsgoil an Iar, bruidhnibh ris an sgoil le: 

Ma tha ceist agaibh san fharsaingeachd mu Fhoghlam tro Mheadhan na Gàidhlig cuiribh post-d gu education@renfrewshire.gov.uk agus bruidhinn ris an sgioba foghlaim. 

’S e Foghlam tro Mheadhan na Gàidhlig (FMG) a bhios ann nuair a thèid teagasg air adhart, anns a’ chiad dol a-mach, tro cànan na Gàidhlig, le Beurla a’ dol a teagasg mar dàrna cànan.  

Ann am Foghlam tro mheadhan na Gàidhlig, bidh na clasaichean, an t-ionnsachadh, na measaidhean, agus an curraicealam air fad, air an teagasg ann an Gàidhlig a-mhàin eadar Clas 1 agus Clas 3.  

Thig Beurla a-steach eadar Clas 4 agus Clas 7, ach, ’s e Gàidhlig fhathast na prìomh chànan na sgoile.

Thòisich Siorrachd Rinn Friù a’ tabhann Foghlam tro Mheadhan na Gàidhlig ann an Lùnastal 2022 do sgoilearan aig aois na bunsgoile.  

Faodaidh pàrantan an clann a chlàradh airson Foghlam tro Mheadhan na Gàidhlig aig Bunsgoil an Iar ann am Pàislig.

Faighibh a-mach barrachd mu Fhoghlam tro Mheadhan na Gàidhlig aig ìre na Bunsgoil ann an Alba (gaidhlig.scot)  

Chan urrainn do sgoilearan tòiseachadh ann am Foghlam tro Mheadhan na Gàidhlig aig Bunsgoil an Iar ach ann an Clas 1.

Chan urrainn do sgoilearan gluasad a-steach do chlasaichean nas sìne ach nan robh iad ann am Foghlam tro Mheadhan na Gàidhlig roimhe.

How to register your child for Gaelic school

Children starting primary school  

If you live in Renfrewshire and your child is due to start Primary 1 (P1) at school in August, you can register your child for Gaelic Medium Education at West Primary School.

You can do this online during the registration period.

Find out more about registering your child for Primary 1 (P1) at school.

If you’re moving to Renfrewshire

If you’re moving to Renfrewshire and your child is already receiving Gaelic Medium Education at school in another council area, you should contact West Primary School to discuss transferring your child to the school.

You can contact the headteacher of West Primary School by:

After you’ve registered for Gaelic school

West Primary School will contact you to attend an induction and events to support your child’s transition to Gaelic Medium Education.

This includes visiting West Primary School to meet the staff, see the classrooms and facilities, and a chance to ask any questions you or your child may have.  

If your child is currently at nursery, the school will also speak with their nursery to discuss transition support.

If your child has additional support needs (ASN) or requires any kind of additional help with their transition, you should contact the headteacher of West Primary by:

School transport

If your child is attending Gaelic Medium Education at West Primary School, we’ll provide transport if they live more than 1 mile away from the school.

See who can get home to school transport.

Gaelic Medium Education at secondary school

Gaelic Medium Education is currently not provided at secondary school in Renfrewshire.  

If your child attends West Primary School and wants to continue Gaelic Medium Education at secondary school, you’ll need to apply for a place at a neighbouring council school that provides this.

This is called a placing request. You’ll need to submit the placing request to the neighbouring council.

If the placing request has been accepted, we’ll arrange and fund transport to the neighbouring council school.

If your child does not want to continue Gaelic Medium Education at secondary school, you can request for them to go to the secondary school in their catchment area in Renfrewshire.

How to support your child's Gaelic education

If your child is having Gaelic Medium Education at West Primary School, they do not need to speak Gaelic at home.  

However, encouraging your child to speak, read, and write in Gaelic outside of school will help them to develop their language skills and fluency.

They’ll also benefit from immersive learning in Gaelic in the classroom as it:

• is easier for them to become fluent in Gaelic the earlier they start learning it
• helps them learn other languages
• improves their cognitive development by speaking more than one language.

For help finding opportunities to further yours or your child’s Gaelic skills outside of school, email cssupport@renfrewshire.gov.uk. 

More information

If you'd like more information about Gaelic Medium Education at West Primary, contact the school directly by:

If you have a general enquiry about Gaelic Medium Education, email education@renfrewshire.gov.uk to speak to our education support team.

Gaelic Medium Education (GME) is where pupils are taught mainly through Gaelic language at primary school, with English being taught as a second language.

In Gaelic Medium Education at primary school, all classes, learning, and assessments (curriculum) will be taught entirely in Gaelic from Primary 1 to 3.

English language skills are brought in more from Primary 4 to 7, but Gaelic is still the main language of teaching for every subject and every part of the curriculum.  

Since August 2022, we have offered Gaelic Medium Education to primary aged pupils in Renfrewshire.

Parents and carers can register their child for Gaelic Medium Education at West Primary School, Paisley.

Find out more about Gaelic Medium Education at primary school in Scotland (gaidhlig.scot). 

Your child can only begin Gaelic Medium Education at West Primary School when they start Primary 1 (P1).

West Primary cannot accept children transferring in older classes unless they previously went to a Gaelic school elsewhere.

Parentsportal.scot is a digital service to enhance communication between parents, carers, and schools through online services.

This portal aims to provide a comprehensive range of tools related to your child's education, making services more efficient and accessible.

To create an account, you should have:

• a child at school in the Renfrewshire council area
• a child at one of the schools that use the portal.

With parentsportal.scot you can:

• view the school calendar
• see your child's class timetable (for secondary school students)
• monitor your child's attendance
• complete the annual data check process
• update you and your child's details anytime
• make online school payments using ParentPay
• book parents' evenings (for primary school students)
• view your child's report card (where available)
• authorize permission slips for trips or clubs
• register for free bus travel for young people aged between 5 and 21.

Join us in using this platform to stay connected with your child's education.

For more information, you can contact your school office directly.

When you create a parentsportal.scot account, you'll need to use the MyGovScot (My Account) service, a secure and trusted service provided by the Scottish Government.

To get started, you'll need an email address. Then:

• download the app for Android and complete your registration via the app
• or download and the app for Apple devices and complete your registration via the app
• or sign up directly online at www.parentsportal.scot.

You can access parentsportal.scot if you already use MyAccount with the council. What MyAccount is and how to sign up.

Log in to parentsportal.scot with the same username and password that you use for MyAccount.

When you start

The first time you log in you'll need to link your account to your child's details.

The details you enter for your child must match what is held in the school records. This includes their name, address, school and class details.

Read guides to help you use parentsportal.scot.

ParentPay is easy to use, secure and protects your details.

You can top up your account when you want, so you can budget money for lunches, trips and activities. You can top up online or with cash at your local PayPoint.

You can monitor your child's eating habits by selecting specific meals from the school menu or see what meals or snacks they have chosen at school. Find out more about school meals and menus.

Using ParentPay to pay for meals, trips or other school expenses means children don't have to bring cash with them to school.

When your child's school starts using ParentPay, you will receive a letter with your activation details and instructions on how to set up your ParentPay account.

If you have more than one child at a school or have children at different schools that use the ParentPay system, you can add them into one single account and have one login for all your children.

ParentPay can also be linked to MyAccount, your own online council account. 

If you already have an account, you can:

Log on to ParentPay

You can find help and support with your ParentPay account on the ParentPay website.

You can also speak to your child's school if you need help using it.

How it works

1. Visit the Town and City Gift Cards website
2. Select a purchase type, gift card value and card type
3. Send the gift card to the person you want to treat or reward.

You can also buy a gift card or pick one up to load later at:
Paisley First
1 County Place
Paisley
PA1 1BN

Where to spend your gift card

150 businesses across Renfrewshire currently accept the Renfrewshire Gift Card.

It can be used for:

• shopping
• food and drink
• health and beauty
• leisure and attractions
• services.

View a map and list of all retailers on the Town and City Gift Cards website.

Add your business

Businesses interested in accepting the gift card can sign up on the Town and City Gift Cards website.
 

Spend Local toolkit for businesses

Renfrewshire is home to many fantastic businesses. We can all support them by choosing to spend local.

Around 70p from every pound spent local, stays local.

Print and display a poster, a set of flyers or window/door stickers. We've set these up so you can print in your own premises.

It’s a gift card you can spend with 150 businesses across Renfrewshire.

You can buy a physical card or an e-card, choose a gift card value and then share the gift card with someone you want to treat.

You can buy as an individual and treat friends or family; or you can buy as a business and use for corporate gifting or rewarding.

How to use the service

If you’d like to find out more about how the Invest Renfrewshire team can help you:

• phone us on 0300 300 1180
• email us at invest@renfrewshire.gov.uk
• visit us at the Russell Institute, 30 Causeyside Street, Paisley, PA1 1UN.

Our opening hours are:

• Monday to Thursday, 8:45am to 4:45pm
• Friday, 8:45am to 3:55pm.

Our Employability Support Service is set up to meet the diverse needs of specific groups who can face challenges in the job market. Whether you're a school leaver, a young adult, a parent, or someone overcoming barriers, we’re here to help.

Our service is free and voluntary, and we offer a wide range of support, training, and advice, such as:

• CV and interview help
• in-work support
• confidence building
• counselling
• debt and money advice.

This Employability Support Service is provided by Local Employability Partnership, which is a partnership of council and other organisations in Renfrewshire.

You can use the service if you’re:

• unemployed
• living in Renfrewshire
• and looking to get into work.

We provide:

• a key worker who will help and advise you on your journey towards work
• a better off in work assessment so that you can start to plan your future and maximise your income
• coaching to build confidence and well being support to get you ready to start a job
• financial help with travel, childcare, and work essentials
• career guidance in 1 to 1 support to discuss your options
• work experience and placements, hands on opportunities to gain useful experience
• access to a network of local employers
• chances to develop your skills and do some training – to give you industry-relevant courses and qualifications.

School leavers (16 to 18 year olds)

Challenges for this group can include:

• limited work experience or low qualifications
• uncertainty about career pathways
• transitioning from structured education to work or training.

How we help:

• career coaching and CV workshops
• modern apprenticeships and traineeships
• access to college courses and skills boot camps (SBWA)
• employer engagement programmes
• bespoke training designed for you  
• support for securing first jobs. (pastoral support).

Young people (18 to 24 year olds)

Challenges for this group can include:

• high competition for entry-level jobs
• lack of confidence and soft skills
• barriers to higher education and training.

How we help:

• tailored employability training (such as for interviews and applications)
• work placements, traineeships, and apprenticeships
• sector-based academies for in-demand industries
• one-to-one mentoring and peer support networks.

Adults (25 years old and over)

Challenges for this group can include:

• career transitions or redundancy
• skills gaps and outdated qualifications
• confidence in returning to work after long-term unemployment.

How we help:

• reskilling and upskilling opportunities
• job brokerage and employer introductions
• business start-up advice and self-employment support
• specialist support for long-term unemployed individuals.

Parents from priority groups

Challenges for this group can include:

• balancing employment with childcare
• limited access to flexible work opportunities
• financial barriers to returning to work.

How we help:

• family-friendly employment pathways
• flexible training and part-time opportunities
• support with childcare funding and benefits advice
• confidence-building and networking for parents.

People with disabilities and health conditions

Challenges for this group can include:

• accessibility barriers in the workplace
• discrimination and lack of employer awareness
• gaps in employment history.

How we help:

• disability-confident employer partnerships
• tailored job coaching and reasonable adjustment support
• work trials and supported employment models
• advice on Access to Work funding.

People with previous convictions

Challenges for this group can include:

• stigma and employer reluctance
• gaps in skills and work experience
• rebuilding confidence and personal development.

How we help:

• engagement with inclusive employers
• practical training for specific jobs and skills workshops
• support to disclose convictions positively
• peer mentorship and rehabilitation support.

Care-experienced young people

Challenges for this group can include:

• lack of family or financial support
• higher risk of unemployment and unstable housing
• limited access to training and work experience.

How we help:

• trainee programmes
• tailored training and personal development plans
• ongoing support from a mentor
• access to bursaries and financial help.

New Scots and migrant groups

Challenges for this group can include:

• lack of UK work experience and employer expectations
• cultural differences
• language barriers.

How we help:

• multi-lingual staff to provide support
• work experience opportunities to build awareness of different types of work
• language courses and conversation cafes.

The service is free, and we can help with some of your travel and childcare costs.

If you or someone you live with has difficulty getting in and out of your home, it may be possible to adapt your home to make it more suitable for your needs.

You can apply to adapt your home if you:

• are a council tenant
• are a housing association tenant
• rent from a private landlord
• own your home.

You can contact us if you have any questions.

To start the process, one of our occupational therapists needs to assess your circumstances. They’ll find out what sort of difficulties you’re having in your home and what might be the best way of helping you.

Contact us to arrange an assessment.

Once you've received the outcome of your occupational therapist assessment, we’ll discuss your options with you and can help you decide what to do next.

You might also be interested in resources from these non-council organisations:

• Capability Scotland
• Housing Options Scotland
• Disability Information Scotland.

There’s no cost to apply, but there may be costs to doing the work, depending on your situation.

If you’re a council tenant or housing association tenant

As long as your landlord has adequate funds to do the work, you should not have to pay anything.

If you rent from a private landlord or own your own home

You may be eligible for an improvement grant from the council, depending on your circumstances. Your occupational therapist will help you apply for the grant.

Read our full guide for private tenants and homeowners, which includes information about the grant:
 

How to apply

Read up about the different options then speak to your parents, careers advisor and guidance teachers when making your subject choices.

Find out more about foundation apprenticeships (Apprenticeships.scot).

More information

If you have any questions about foundation apprenticeships email darren.conway@renfrewshire.gov.uk.

It takes 1 year to complete a foundation apprenticeship (level 5 and level 6).

A level 6 foundation apprenticeship is the same level of learning as a Higher (SCQF level 6). As you are working towards your qualification, you’ll spend time out of school at college and with a local employer.

As a foundation apprentice, you’ll:

• learn a skill and get work experience – while you’re at school
• study and work for 1 to 2 years
• choose from up to 15 apprenticeships
• get an equal qualification to a National 4, National 5 or Higher
• do a real job with professionals.

Find out more about foundation apprenticeships (Apprenticeships.scot).

Foundation Apprenticeships in Renfrewshire are offered in partnership with West College Scotland.

You can see the different options on foundation apprenticeship (West College Scotland).

To apply to become a foundation apprentice, you should be in senior school.

Most pupils choose their foundation apprenticeship when they’re at the end of S4 or S5. They take 1 or 2 years to complete.