Registering your Child for Early Learning and Childcare

Find your local Early Learning and Childcare Provider

Registering your child for Early Learning and Childcare

To apply for a funded Early Learning & Childcare (ELC) space you will need a copy of your child's birth certificate and a proof of address letter in your name.

Children born between 1st March 2023 and 29th February 2024 are eligible for funded ELC in the academic year starting August 2026.

• To make a late application please complete our application form - Early Years Useful Documents.
• Please take this directly to your first choice ELC setting, remembering your two supporting documents.

Any applications received from the Monday after the registration week for your child's date of birth, are a late application. This means the application will get lower priority if the ELC setting is oversubscribed. Applications cannot be accepted without clear copies of the required documents. 

Children born between 1st March 2024 and 28th February 2025 are eligible for funded ELC in the academic year starting August 2027.

• You should apply online between 18th and 22nd January 2027.

Support & Advice

If you have any queries there are several sources of information:

• Supporting Documents FAQs
• Early Years Frequently Asked Questions
• Early Years Useful documents 
• Contact Early Years: earlyyears@argyll-bute.gov.uk or 01369 708503 between 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday.

Cross boundary applications

Families have the option to use funded ELC hours in a different local authority area, to the one they are resident in. All cross boundary requests go through a funding approval process involving the resident local authority, so are subject to longer timescales for approval.

• A parent who lives in the Argyll and Bute Council area but wishes to access funded ELC in another area, should contact that local authority to apply directly to them. Please be aware that the application process may take place earlier in the academic year than it does in Argyll & Bute.
• A parent who lives in another local authority area and wishes to access funded ELC in Argyll & Bute, should apply to us online during registration week. At other times in the year, late applications should be made directly to ELC setting. Please note that the application is subject to the funding start date rules of your resident local authority area.

Transport

Early Years is not legally obliged to provide transport, however we recognise the unique rural nature of Argyll and Bute, which can at times be challenging. If you feel you need further advice or wish to discuss ELC transport matters, please contact the Early Years helpline on 01369 708503 or e-mail earlyyears@argyll-bute.gov.uk.