Pre-School Registration Information

Placement Guidance  | Pre-School Registration | Early Entry |  Application Process

A child’s entitlement to free pre-school education will be 475 hours generally as 5 x 2½ hour sessions over a minimum of 38 weeks within the school year.
Argyll and Bute Council provides pre-school education directly through its own pre five units and by contracting approved private, voluntary and independent pre-school providers.

Four Year Old Children Not Currently Registered

If your child’s birthday falls between 1 March and 28 February
and he/she is not currently attending pre-school education your child
will be eligible for their second year of pre-school education for August
session.

How to Register Your Child For a Pre-School Education Place

Parents must apply in person between to register for a pre-school place for a session and should bring their child’s birth certificate or similar document verifying their child’s date of birth.
Details of the registration week and where places are available for pre-school education for session can be obtained from:

• Adverts in the local press

• Posters displayed in council offices, libraries, community education offices, primary schools, private, voluntary and independent providers

• Our helpline service

To Help You Choose a Place for Your Child

We believe it is important for your child to have pre-school education in the same place for the full two years to provide continuity and a secure learning environment.

We are aware of parents’ needs and wishes for pre-school education. However, it will not always be possible to offer your first choice of provider.
If your first choice is not available then the council has a procedure to allocate places.
If it is necessary to change your child’s pre-school provider you are able to do so within the 1st week following the start of terms and the 1st week following the mid-term breaks.

Cross Boundary Requests

A parent who resides in Argyll and Bute Council area who wishes to access pre-school provision in another authority should contact that authority or if you require further guidance please contact your relevant helpline member.

Additional Information

Helpline Service

A helpline has been provided to assist parents with information and advice on all aspects of pre-school education provision for their child. You can contact the helpline by writing, e-mailing or telephoning your helpline staff member as indicated below between
9.00am – 5.00pm, Monday – Friday.

• If you live in Bute, Cowal, Helensburgh & Lomond contact -

Esther Clarke, Argyll House, Alexandra Parade, Dunoon, PA23 8AJ
Telephone: 01369 708503
e-mail: esther.clarke@argyll-bute.gov.uk

• If you live in Mid Argyll, Kintyre, Islay, Oban, Lorn and the Isles, contact -

Anne Mackenzie, Argyll House, Alexandra Parade, Dunoon, PA23 8AJ,
Telephone: 01369 708560
e-mail: anne.mackenzie@argyll-bute.gov.uk

Use of Photographs

Photographic displays and video recordings are often used to show the work of the unit and are sometimes included in press articles. If you do not want your child’s picture to be included, there is a space on the registration form to say so.

Transport

Pre-school education provision has no entitlement to transport.
There is no obligation to provide transport, however, the council recognises the unique rural nature of Argyll and Bute and transport may be available in exceptional circumstances.
Following registration, parents who think they might have exceptional transport difficulties should contact their area helpline.
Assistance with transport is considered for the current school year only i.e. A new request must be made for subsequent school years.

Complaints Framework

If you have a complaint about your child’s pre-school education talk it over with the head of centre.
If no agreement can be reached then contact your helpline member who will advise you of what to do next or alternatively, contact the Care Commission at Central West Region – Tel: 0141 843 4230.