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, ensuring they select a partner ELC setting. At other times in the year, late applications should be made directly to the partner ELC setting. Please note that the application cannot be offered a space at a local authority ELC setting.

Additional year of ELC

If your child is still age 4 on the day they would usually start primary 1 (P1), you’ve got the right for them to start primary school the following year instead, when they’re 5.

Children who have their fifth birthday between March and the first day of the school year, are due to start school in August.

Who is eligible?

All children with birth dates between the second day of term in August and the end of February, are automatically entitled to receive an additional year of funded ELC and enter P1 the August after instead.

Applications for an additional year of funded ELC for children with birth dates between 1st March and the first day of term in August, will only be granted in cases warranting this at the discretion of Early Years. 

When do I need to decide/apply?

You need to indicate that you wish to apply for this additional year of ELC on the online P1 application form, during P1 registration week in November. If you are unsure of what's best for your child at this time, and would not need a placing request for P1, we would advise you to request an additional year of ELC. You can change your mind and withdraw the request at any point up until the start of the school year.

If you have missed P1 registration week, you should notify educationdata@argyll-bute.gov.uk of your request for an additional year of ELC (including your name, child's name & date of birth). 

How do I make the best decision for my child?

You can find further information in the Additional Year of ELC Leaflet on our Early Years Useful Documents page. You can speak directly to your child’s keyworker to help make a decision on what is best for your child. You can also visit the Parent Club Scotland website.

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.