Education, schools and adult learning

What the service does

Our educational psychologists work with staff to make sure that education is a nurturing experience and to reduce any barriers to learning that may exist for children and young people.

Some of the ways that EPs can help to reduce barriers is by:

• looking at how children learn
• finding out more about a child’s strengths and what engages them in learning
• talking with you, your child and their teachers
• making suggestions on things that may need to be adapted to support learning in the classroom or playroom.  

The educational psychologist will ensure that your child’s views and your views are part of the information that helps any assessment of need. 

Who can use the service

The service supports children and young people who experience a wide range of additional support needs (ASN). For example, children and young people who may:

• find communicating and interacting with others a challenge
• need support to learn
• need support with their wellbeing
• have a physical or sensory need that acts as a barrier to learning
• have been care experienced.

How we become involved

Your child’s nursery or school will already have a system in place for monitoring or reviewing their progress.  

The nursery or school will gather assessment information and support your child through their staged intervention process before asking for educational psychologist involvement.  

An educational psychologist may become involved when support is needed to work out what is getting in the way of your child’s learning or development, and what could help them.  

You’ll need to give consent to the nursery or school before they can ask for educational psychologist to get involved in your child’s learning and development.  

The nursery or school will then discuss the request for support with an educational psychologist. The educational psychologist may agree that it would be helpful for them to become involved. 

How to use the service

Requests for the service are made by schools, nurseries, or other educational establishments after you have given consent.

You can contact our Educational Psychology Service by: 

• email reps@renfrewshire.gov.uk
• phone 0300 300 0170 – Option 4 (Educational Psychology Service)

More information

You can find out more about the work of our Educational Psychology Service, reports and publications, and further resources (Glow Scotland).

Our Educational Psychology Service helps to improve wellbeing, learning, and the development for children, young people and families in Renfrewshire.

Our educational psychologists work closely with parents, teachers and other professionals to help children. access the curriculum and flourish during their time in education.

We use evidence-based psychology theory and a knowledge of child development to:

• provide advice and guidance to schools and nurseries
• work collaboratively with others in education settings to support children and young people, particularly those who have additional support needs (ASN)
• provide training and development for education staff.

The service aims to support the implementation of the "Getting it Right for Every Child" (GIRFEC) within Renfrewshire. 

What a parent council does

The role of a parent council is to:

• gather and represent the views of parents and carers and make sure the school takes these into account
• support the school in its work with pupils
• encourage parents and carers to get involved in their children's learning and education
• encourage links between the school, parents and carers, pupils, pre-school groups, and the wider community
• report back to the parent forum.

Parent councils are also consulted whenever a school is appointing a new headteacher or deputy headteacher.  

If this process involves a recruitment panel, some parent council members will usually sit on this.

In some cases, a parent council might also arrange activities that support pupils' education and welfare such as fundraisers or social events.

How to join a parent council

If you're interested in joining a parent council, ask your child's school for more information:

• Primary schools in Renfrewshire
• Secondary schools in Renfrewshire
• Additional support needs schools in Renfrewshire.

The head teacher at the school is the first point of contact for information on parent councils.

Parent council liaison meetings

Meetings take place twice a year between representatives from Renfrewshire's parent councils, staff from our Children's Services, and the Director of Children's Services.

All parent council chairpersons from all Renfrewshire schools are invited to attend or send a representative from their parent council.

We’ll email all parent council chairpersons with the date and agenda in advance of each meeting.

More information

The Scottish Government has published guidance on parent councils on the Parentzone Scotland section of the Education Scotland website.

You can also find more information on the National Parent Forum of Scotland website.

Every parent or carer of a pupil attending a school is automatically a member of the parent forum for that school.

The parent forum will receive updates and information about the school and matters of interest to parents and carers.

A smaller group can be chosen from within the parent forum to represent the interests and views of all parents and carers at the school. This is called a parent council.

Although a parent council's main members will always be parents and carers, it can also include:

• school staff
• people from the local community
• someone from a church or denominational body that's linked to the school. 

More information

For more information about the Instrumental Music Service and how your child can learn a musical instrument read our Renfrewshire Instrumental Music Service information leaflet:

You can also contact our Music Development Officer by:

• email mark.traynor@renfrewshire.gov.uk   
• phone 0141 487 2496

Read our Renfrewshire Instrumental Music Service guidelines:

Authority ensembles

Renfrewshire Instrumental Music Service authority ensemble programme provides opportunities for young musicians to meet, develop, and enhance their musical experiences and learning.

Our ensembles are open to children and young people up to the age of 19, who play a musical instrument at the appropriate level and:

• attend a Renfrewshire Council school
• attend the Saturday Music Centre or,  
• live in Renfrewshire.  

The ensembles rehearse from September to April.

Read more about how your child can participate in the authority ensemble programme with our information leaflet - and see when the ensembles rehearse with the rehearsal schedule:

Renfrewshire Instrumental Music Service offers no cost instrumental music lessons to primary and secondary pupils in schools.  

The service is delivered by instrumental music teachers. They work in partnership with schools and music departments to deliver a curriculum that enables children and young people to be successful, confident, responsible, and an effective contributor.

The choice of instruments available will vary from school to school, but lessons are provided on:

• bagpipes
• brass
• guitar
• percussion
• pipe band drumming
• strings  
• woodwind.  

Learning through music provides children and young people with a wide range of opportunities and experiences that develop and prepare them for life at school and beyond.

As well as the musical benefits, learning to play a musical instrument can:

• develop self-esteem and confidence
• enhance co-ordination, memory, and social skills
• improve concentration and discipline
• positively impact health and wellbeing
• teach your child how to work as part of a team and contribute to the life of the school and wider community.

The service offers instrumental music lessons to primary and secondary pupils in schools in Renfrewshire.

Learning a musical instrument is open to pupils from Primary 5 (strings only) and Primary 6 (depending on staff availability and resources). This may vary from school to school.  

Your child will have an initial presentation from the Instrumental Music Service about what instruments are available to learn at their school.

As there is often more demand for instrumental lessons than availability, it may not be possible to offer every pupil the opportunity to learn a musical instrument.

How the service works during school term time and holidays

During school term time

During school term time, children who attend St James' Primary or Mossvale Primary will go to Shortroods O.S.C service. Children who attend Glencoats Primary or St Fergus Primary will go to Ferguslie After School Care.

Staff from our out of school care service will pick your child up from their school at 3pm and take them to the service.

You should collect your child from the service by 5:45pm.

During school holidays and in-service days

During school holiday periods and in-service days, children at both services will go to the Shortroods campus in Mossvale and St James Primary School.

Operational hours during school holiday periods and in-service days are 8am to 5:45pm.  

Snacks will be provided at the service during term time and school holidays, but your child will need to bring their own packed lunch during school holidays and in-service days.

If you have registered your child with a private or voluntary out of school care service, you should contact them directly to find out drop off and pick up arrangements.

For more information on out of school care services in Renfrewshire, email outofschoolcareenquiries@renfrewshire.gov.uk.

More information

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

Out of school care services provide childcare support for parents around the school day during term time and during school holidays.

The services are available for primary school pupils in Renfrewshire.

You can apply for a place for your child at our out of school care services if you are in employment, further education, or training.

Private and voluntary organisations may have different conditions to use their service.

Council-run services

We run 2 out of school care services in Renfrewshire.  

Shortroods O.S.C (Out of School Care) service is located in Mossvale Primary School and St James Primary School, Paisley. This service can accommodate children who attend either of these primary schools.

Ferguslie After School Care is located in Glencoats Primary School, Paisley. This service can accommodate children who attend Glencoats Primary School and St Fergus Primary School.

Both services are open from 3pm to 5:45pm during school term time and offer a variety of indoor and outdoor activities.

During school holidays, both services are open from 8am until 5:45pm but operate from the Shortroods campus in Mossvale Primary School and St James Primary School.

Private or voluntary organisations

There are 36 out of school care services in Renfrewshire operated by private or voluntary organisations. These are registered with the Care Inspectorate to deliver childcare for school age children.

You can see registered out of school care services (Care Inspectorate website). Type in your town or village and select 'daycare of children' to see the list of services in your area.

The Scottish Childminding Association (SCMA) also provides a list of childcare services for school age children provided by childminders.

You can use the find a childminder page to see the list of SCMA registered childminders in Renfrewshire (Scottish Childminding Association website).

When you apply, you’ll need to select the days of the week you would like to request out of school care at either Shortroods O.S.C (Out of School Care) or Ferguslie After School Care.

Apply online for out of school care at Shortroods O.S.C or Ferguslie After School Care.

If you're looking to use a private or voluntary out of school care service, you should contact them directly to discuss getting a place for your child.

We’ll contact you by phone and email to let you know if your child has been given an out of school care place at Shortroods O.S.C or Ferguslie After School Care.

You’ll need to complete enrolment paperwork for your child before they start with the service.

We’ll email this paperwork to you, and you can return it to us by email. You can also complete this in person at the service.

After you have completed the enrolment paperwork for Shortroods O.S.C or Ferguslie After School Care, your child can start going to the service.

Costs for out of school care may vary between service or organisation.

Children usually start school in Primary 1 in the August after their 5th birthday.

Children who reach the age of 5 between 1 March 2026 and 28 February 2027 should start primary school in August 2026.

However, if your child’s 5th birthday falls after the last day of February, you can request early entry to school. 

Early entry is not automatically granted. We consider each request individually, based on the wellbeing and developmental needs of the child.

Starting school early is a significant decision. Children develop at different rates, and readiness for school is not based on age alone.

It’s important that you consider your child’s overall wellbeing, development and individual needs.

You should speak with your child’s early learning and childcare setting, as well as any other professionals who know your child well.

What you should consider

Physical development

You should consider whether your child is ready to take part in a full school day, including managing routines, activities, and time spent learning and playing.

Emotional and social development

Children who start school early will be younger than others in their class.  

You should think about how your child manages separation, forms friendships, and takes part in group activities.

Learning and play

Children learn in lots of different ways, including through play, exploring, spending time with others, and everyday family experiences. This continues when they start school.

In Primary 1 (P1), children take part in play-based and active learning, but the day is usually more structured than in an early learning and childcare setting.

For some children, having more time in an early learning and childcare (nursery) setting can be really valuable. 

Early learning and childcare settings often offer more flexibility and more time for child-led play.

Long-term considerations

You should consider how starting school early may affect your child as they move through primary and secondary school and beyond, including transitions between stages and their age compared to peers.

Apply for early entry to school online

You can apply for early entry to school at any time during the year.  

Applications are considered on a case-by-case basis. 

Your application will be considered by senior management within the primary school sector.

This may include discussion with you and relevant professionals, and an assessment of your child based on their involvement in developmentally appropriate play-based experiences.

We’ll inform you of the decision after the assessment.

Appeal process

There is no right of appeal against the refusal of an early entry to school application, under the terms of the Education (Scotland) Act 1980.  

If your application was refused, you do have the right to seek independent legal advice. 

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 2026 and 28 February 2027, they should start primary school in August 2026.  

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 2026 and 28 February 2027 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

What admissions panels are

Our admissions panels make decisions on places for children at council-run nurseries and voluntary/private nurseries and childminders in Renfrewshire.

They make decisions after you’ve made a request to:

• apply for a free nursery or childcare place, or
• pay for additional hours of nursery or childcare (wraparound care).

Renfrewshire is divided into 10 admission panel areas of council-run or council-approved nurseries and childminders.  

When applying for a nursery placement, parents should be aware that nurseries sit within panel areas and consider this when selecting their three preferred settings. Although parents do not need to choose all three nurseries from the same panel areas, it is important to understand that each nursery belongs to a specific panel.  

These cover different geographical areas from school catchment areas.

We apply the council’s nursery, early learning and childcare admissions policy when allocating places:

Priority is given to children who meet certain criteria and children living within the panel area.

In each admission panel area, we allocate nursery places in order of priority, starting with priority 1 to priority 5 children. This information is on the policy included above.

Admission panel areas in Renfrewshire 

Funded providers (non-council-run nurseries) are subject to approved provider status following satisfactory completion of the tender process.

Within Renfrewshire Council, private, voluntary or third‑sector nurseries and childminders can deliver funded Early Learning & Childcare (ELC) as long as they meet national and local requirements. 

The tender and approval process sits within the national Funding Follows the Child policy and the National Standard for ELC Providers.

If a funded provider nursery does not comply with these procurement and legislative requirements, they may lose their contracted partnership with us and not be able to offer 1140 entitlement to children.

This means funded providers listed below may change:

Johnstone, Howwood and Lochwinnoch

• Auchenlodment Early Learning and Childcare Class (council-run)
• Lochwinnoch Early Learning and Childcare Class (council-run)
• Mid Gavin Nursery
• Sharon's Tiny Tots Childminding
• Spateston Early Learning and Childcare Centre (council-run)
• Stepping Stones Nursery
• St Margaret's Early Learning and Childcare Class (council-run)
• West Johnstone Early Learning and Childcare Centre (council-run)

Erskine, Bishopton, Inchinnan and Langbank

• Bright Starts Nursery
• Cairellot Nursery Ltd
• Carli's Kindergarten Ltd
• Carole McLauchlan
• Catherine Whyte
• Dargavel Early Learning and Childcare Centre (council-run)
• Erskine Community Nursery - Bargarran
• Erskine Community Nursery - St Anne's
• Inchinnan Community Nursery
• Karen Finnie
• Kelly Rix
• Little Pandas
• St Anne's Early Learning and Childcare Class (council-run)
• St John Bosco Early Learning and Childcare Class (council-run)
• Thrive Childcare and Education Happitots Erskine

Renfrew

• 3 Bears Nursery - Renfrew
• Catherine Young
• Cee Cee's Childcare (Claire Crawford)
• Glendee Early Learning and Childcare Centre (council-run)
• In Safe Hands
• Karen Chalmers
• Kerry Goudie
• Kirklandneuk Early Learning and Childcare Centre (council-run)
• Little Flowers Nursery
• Little Stars Hillington
• Little Rabbit (Malgorzata Kowalik)
• Moorpark Early Learning and Childcare Centre (council-run)
• Puddle Lane

Houston, Bridge of Weir, Brookfield and Kilbarchan

• Abbey Nursery Houston
• Bridge of Weir Early Learning and Childcare Class (council-run)
• Gryffe Manor Nursery
• Houston Early Learning and Childcare Class (council-run)
• Kilbarchan Community Nursery
• Rivendale Nursery

Linwood

• Carli's Kindergarten Ltd
• East Fulton Early Learning & Childcare Class (council-run)
• Elaine Parkhill Childminding
• Linwood Community Childcare
• Our Lady of Peace Early Learning and Childcare Class (council-run)

Foxbar, Glenburn, Brediland and Meikleriggs

• Bushes Early Learning and Childcare Class (council-run)
• Carriagehill Nursery Green Road
• Foxlea Early Learning and Childcare Centre (council-run)
• Glenburn Early Learning and Childcare Centre (council-run)
• Glenfield Early Learning and Childcare Centre (council-run)
• Heriot Early Learning and Childcare Class (council-run)
• St Peter's Early Learning and Childcare Class (council-run)

Paisley West 1: Elderslie, Baronscroft, Castlehead and Westend

• Abbey Nursery
• Hugh Smiley Early Learning and Childcare Centre (council-run)
• Maxwellton Park Nursery and OSC
• St Mary's Early Learning and Childcare Class (council-run)
• Wallace Early Learning and Childcare Class (council-run)
• West Early Learning and Childcare Class (council-run)

Paisley West 2: Ferguslie, Shortroods and Phoenix Park

• Douglas Street Early Learning and Childcare Centre (council-run)
• Ferguslie Early Learning and Childcare Centre (council-run)
• Glencoats Lodge Nursery
• Happitots Nursery - Glasgow Airport
• Hillview Early Learning and Childcare Centre (council-run)
• Mossvale Early Learning and Childcare Class (council-run)
• Rainbow Nursery - Paisley

Paisley Central 1: Charleston, Hawkhead, Hunterhill, Lochfield, Paisley South and Todholm

• Carriagehill Drive Nursery
• Lochfield Early Learning and Childcare Centre (council-run)
• Jennyswell Nursery
• Nursery Times
• Orchard Grove Nursery
• Paisley Early Learning and Childcare Centre (council-run)
• St Charles' Early Learning and Childcare Class (council-run)
• Todholm Early Learning and Childcare Class (council-run)

Paisley Central 2: Gallowhill, Paisley North, Ralston and Seedhill

• Abbeymill Childcare Ltd
• Gallowhill Early Learning and Childcare Class (council-run)
• Leaps and Bounds Nursery
• Little Learners
• Ralston Early Learning and Childcare Class (council-run)
• St Catherine's Early Learning and Childcare Class (council-run)
• Williamsburgh Early Learning and Childcare Class (council-run).

More information

Find out more about:  

• Renfrewshire Council nurseries
• council-approved private and voluntary nurseries and childminders.

This guide explains what admissions panels are and which nurseries and childminders are covered by each admissions panel area in Renfrewshire. 

How we allocate nursery and childcare places 

We have a  nursery, early learning and childcare admissions policy to make sure places are allocated fairly and transparently:

Renfrewshire is divided into 10 admission panel areas of council-run or council-approved nurseries and childminders.

Priority is given to children who:

• meet certain admissions criteria
• live in their admission panel area.

In each admission panel area, we allocate nursery places in order of priority, starting with priority 1 to priority 5 children.

If there are more applications than places remaining in that that priority group, we’ll have a ballot to allocate these places.  

For children who do not get a place at their preferred nursery, we’ll try our best to offer a place at their 2nd or 3rd choice stated on the application form.

If you apply by 31 January 2026, we’ll let you know about your child's place by the end of April 2026.

If we receive your application after 31 January 2026, it will be considered at the next area admissions panel.

We hold admission panels approximately every 2 months during the school term to allocate places for applications we receive after the closing date.

Let your preferred nursery or childminder know if there are any changes to your circumstances, as this could affect the placement offered by the admissions panel.

Applications for 2-year-olds are reviewed throughout the year at the area admissions panel.

After you’ve applied

When your child is offered an early learning and childcare place, the council-run or council-approved nursery or childminder will write to you to confirm this.  

They’ll also confirm your child’s start date for early learning and childcare.

If you have any questions about your application or the place your child has been offered, you should discuss this with the head or manager of that nursery or the childminder.

If the matter is not resolved, you can contact our Children's Services by:

• email: elc@renfrewshire.gov.uk
• phone: 0300 300 0170

Or by post to:

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

There is no appeal process for nursery placements.

A place at a nursery does not guarantee a place at the primary school that the nursery may be part of.

You’ll need to register your child for a primary school in your local catchment area before they are ready to start Primary 1 (P1).

Find out how to register your child for Primary 1 (P1) at school.

Children aged 3 and 4 can get up to 1140 hours of free early learning and childcare a year, funded by the Scottish Government.

This is:  

• around 30 hours per week if you use it during school term time, or  
• fewer hours spread across more weeks of the year.  

You do not need to pay for these funded hours.

Some 2-year-olds may also be entitled to free early learning and childcare.

You can get free early learning and childcare at nurseries, childminders, or a combination of both.

You can apply to use this at any council-run or council-approved nursery or childminder in Renfrewshire.  

Find out more about:

• Renfrewshire Council nurseries
• council-approved private and voluntary nurseries and childminders.

If you want to send your child to a private nursery or childminder that's not run or approved by us, you will not be able to use your free hours of nursery or childcare and you’ll have to pay for the cost.

Find out more about who can get free nursery or childcare places and when they can start.

Nursery places for the school year 2026 to 2027 start from August 2026.

When your child starts nursery depends on when their 3rd birthday is during the year.

If your child's 3rd birthday is on or before 28 February 2027, you should apply by 31 January 2026 for a free nursery place or childcare.

If your child is aged 2 and you've already applied for their place for when they are 3 years old, you do not need to apply again.

If your child is already 3 or 4 years old and isn't at nursery or a childminder, you should apply for their free place now.  

Find out more about who can get free nursery or childcare places and when they can start this.

Places for two-year olds

If your child is eligible for free early learning and childcare, you can apply just before they are 2 years old. They can start nursery and childcare in the term after their 2nd birthday.  

Find out more about who can get free nursery or childcare places and when they can start this.

Find out how you can use your free nursery and childcare hours.

Preferences you must provide

You can apply to any council-run or council-approved nursery or childminder in Renfrewshire.

When applying for an early learning and childcare place, you’ll need to select 3 different nurseries or childminders.

If you want a place at a private or voluntary nursery or private childminder that isn't approved by us, you'll need to apply to them directly.

You should check with your preferred nursery or childminder that they can accommodate the hours, days, or arrangements that suit you.

Find contact details for:  

• Renfrewshire Council nurseries
• council-approved private and voluntary nurseries and childminders.

You only need to make one application for your child's place, even if you have several choices or preferences. However, you must choose 3 different settings in your application form.

In your application, you must include:

• your preferred days and times
• whether you will use this free nursery or childcare place during school term-time or across the full year
• your 1st, 2nd and 3rd choices for your preferred nursery or childminder.

If we cannot provide your child a place at your 1st choice, we’ll do our best to offer you a place at your 2nd or 3rd choice. 

If you currently have a child at a nursery or childminder and want their sibling to attend the same one, you should state the names and ages of other children in your family on the application form. We’ll take this into consideration when allocating places.

Evidence you must provide

When applying for a free nursery or childcare place at one of our council-run or council-approved nurseries or childminders, you must provide:

• your name
• proof of your address, such as a utility or council tax bill
• your child's original birth certificate.

If you're applying for a 2-year-old who is eligible for free early learning and childcare, because you or someone in your household gets a qualifying benefit, you'll need to provide evidence such as:

• a confirmation letter of your benefit from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP)
• a tax credit award letter from HM Revenue and Customs.

You can see what qualifying benefits apply (Scottish Government website).  

You can upload scans or photos of your original documents with your online application. Make sure the image is clear enough to read the text.

You must provide original documents if we ask for them.

You can apply online for a nursery or childcare place at one of our council-run or council-approved nurseries or council-approved childminders: 

Apply online

You can download and fill in our free nursery and childcare places application form and return it to your chosen nursery or childminder by post or email:

If you want to email your completed form to your preferred nursery or childminder, you'll need to include photos or scans of your evidence.

If you want to return it by post, you'll need to return the completed application and your documents to the nursery or childminder’s address. We recommend you send your original documents by recorded delivery for added security.

You can also phone your local nursery or childminder and ask them to send you a form.