Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) - frequently asked questions

What supporting documents are required?

To make a funded ELC application for your child, you must provide a copy of your child's birth certificate and a proof of address document. This must be in your name (the parent/carer applying) and be dated within the past 3 months.

I am completing an application form for an ELC setting, due to changing my child's ELC placement. Do I need to provide supporting documents?

You must always provide a copy of your child's birth certificate. If you have previously applied for funded ELC for this child with Argyll & Bute Council, you do not need to provide a proof of address document again.

Birth Certificate Questions

What proof of birth document is preferred?

A birth certificate copy must be provided for all children born in the UK. A passport copy is preferred for children born outside of the UK. 

If your child is a refugee and you do not have a passport copy, you should provide a screenshot of the online share code from your child's e-Visa. View and prove your immigration status: get a share code 

What format should I provide my child's birth certificate in?

If you are providing this electronically you should take a clear photograph, ensuring the writing is clear and not blurred. The whole certificate must be in view as we require the identification numbers (usually at the edge), you cannot send a close up of the name section.

If you are providing this by post, you should only send copies. Please do not post any original documents.

I don't have a copy of my child's birth certificate, where can I get this?

• If your child was born in Scotland, you can:
  • Order a copy birth certificate online
  • Get a copy birth certificate from any Argyll and Bute Council Service Points
• If your child was born in England & Wales, you can order a copy birth certificate online from General Register Office
• If your child was born in Northern Ireland, you can order a copy birth certificate online from NI Direct

Do you accept both the abbreviated and full version of the birth certificate?

The full version of your child's birth certificate is prefered. However, the abbreviated version can be accepted if you do not have the other.

Can I provide my child's passport instead?

Only if your child was born outside of the UK. A birth certificate copy must be provided for all children born in the UK.

Proof of Address Questions

Why do I need to provide proof of address?

We need to see that parent/carers are living at the same address as the child for whom they are making an application.  The name on the document must match exactly the name of the person making the application for the child.

What type of proof of address document can I provide?

We will accept clear screenshots/photos/scans of any official document dated within the last 3 months that is addressed to the parent/carer making the application.  The applicant must live at the same address as the child for whom the application is being made. Please ensure your name and the date of the document is clearly visible.

We will accept (dated within the last 3 months):

• a letter from a government organisation such as the DWP, HMRC, NHS.
• a benefits letter (e.g a universal credit statement from your online account).
  • If applying for 2 year old funded ELC under this criteria, it meets both requirements.
• a banking institution document (e.g. credit card or bank statement)
  • Please do not include any financial information, only the top part that shows name, address and issue date.
• a utility bill (e.g internet service provider, gas, electric, water)
• a Council Tax Bill

We cannot accept:

• a driving licence issued more than 3 months ago
• a payslip
• a solicitor’s letter confirming a property purchase
• any letter addressed to “Parent of ….”

Alternative sources:

• Refugees in temporary accommodation or living with sponsors, can provide a letter confirming their Argyll and Bute address from their Refugee Resettlement Support Worker.
• Armed Forces families who are being redeployed to Scotland should use the base address on their ELC application. They should then upload an official letter from their CO which confirms the move & base address, as the supporting document. Please provide a home address to the ELC Setting as soon as you have this, supporting documents will not be required.

Do you accept electronic documents?

Yes, we will accept clear screenshots of digital documents as long as they meet the requirements listed in the above FAQ. 

I have recently changed my name, so my proof of address doesn't match. What should i do?

You should also provide proof of your name change. We will accept marriage/civil partnership/divorce certificate, deed poll and court order documents. If you were married in Argyll & Bute, you still need to provide this as these records are the property of National Records of Scotland. Argyll & Bute Council cannot access them freely.

When applying online during registration week only one file can be submitted for proof of address. Please proceed with submitting your application without proof of name change. You then need to attach this in a reply to the email confirmation you receive which has subject 'Incident'.

I have an Argyll and Bute address but haven’t received mail there yet as I haven’t moved in. How do I apply?

You can only make an application for ELC when you are living at your Argyll & Bute address.