Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) - frequently asked questions

What counts as a change to my child's ELC placement?

A change includes: increasing/decreasing or amending hours, changing days, changing ELC setting, starting/stopping a blended placement and leaving an ELC setting.

How do I change my child's ELC placement before it has started?

Please contact the ELC settings involved directly, giving them as much notice as you can. 4 weeks notice is not required when the ELC placement hasn't started.

If you wish to change the ELC setting your child will attend, please contact the new ELC setting to find out if they can allocate you a space. If so, you should complete an ELC application with them (including a copy of your child's birth certificate) to ensure they have the appropriate details. A proof of address document isn't required for a second application for a child in Argyll & Bute. Please let them know you previously made an ELC application elsewhere.

How do I change my child's ELC placement once it has started?

If you want to change a current ELC placement, first discuss the change with the ELC setting/s involved to check that they can accommodate this. If they can and you want to proceed, you must provide 4 weeks notice to all ELC settings involved in writing (email is acceptable). 

A change involving a new ELC setting will require an ELC application to be completed with them, this ensures they have the appropriate details (including a copy of your child's birth certificate). A proof of address document isn't required for a second application for a child in Argyll & Bute. You must also let them know you have attended funded ELC in Argyll & Bute already.

Please note:

• 4 weeks from the date notice was given, the current ELC placement as it was, will end. The next working day after this, the change requested can begin.
• The notice period begins from the date when all of the ELC settings involved have been given written notice - not the earliest date (if ELC settings were informed on different days).
• Notification cannot be given in school holidays if the ELC setting is closed - this includes where one ELC setting is open but the other involved is closed.
• Notification cannot be given between 1st February - 19th March due to the registration process of new applications (however if there are extenuating circumstances please contact Early Years). We recommend you make changes by 31st January.
• Children who will be leaving for P1, cannot change settings in the last month of the ELC model (June for term time, July for year round), even if the appropriate notice was provided.
• Children cannot switch ELC model (at the same ELC setting) in Term 3. This change would instead be scheduled from the start of the next academic year.

I want to change the ELC setting that my child attends, however the new ELC setting is full. What should I do?

You should make an enquiry about this to the new ELC setting, to confirm that they currently cannot offer a place. Confirm to them the hours & days that you are interested in and they will add you to their waiting list. If a space becomes available for your child they will contact you to confirm if you still want this. If so, you must submit 4 weeks notice to your current ELC setting by informing them that your child will be leaving. 

In December each year, ELC settings allocate the spaces they have available for the following academic year (August onwards), to those on the waiting list.

How do I update my contact details or address?

It is important that you update your ELC setting directly with any change in your contact details (email or phone number) or address. Please do this as soon as possible.

If you have moved from an address in Argyll & Bute to another local authority area, a proof of address document will be required. Similarly if you have moved from another local authority area into Argyll & Bute, a proof of address document must be shown to update your address. For other address changes, this document is not required.