Early learning and childcare for 3 and 4 year olds
Eligibility for funded hours starts the term after a child’s third birthday and all children receive the full number of hours they are entitled to whether they attend a full year or term time placement in either a local authority or partner provider setting. The number of funded hours a child receives depends on the start date of their eligibility.
|
Date of birth |
Eligible from |
Offer letters sent out |
Funded entitlement for year 2024/ 25 |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1 March 2021 to |
August 2024 |
Week beginning |
1140 hours |
|
1 September 2021 to |
January 2025 |
Week beginning |
624 hours |
|
1 January 2022 to |
April 2025 |
Week beginning |
270 hours |
Nursery places for children younger than three are provided at full cost by private nurseries and childminders, unless you’re eligible for free early learning and childcare for two-year olds.
View early years 1140 hours video with audio description
Contact your nursery to discuss how you can use your funded hours, for example
- term time in line with school hours
- morning or afternoon sessions
- ten-hour day sessions.
Option to purchase additional hours in nursery
From August 2024 you may be able to purchase additional hours of early learning and childcare in settings that are open all year round.
The cost for additional hours from August 2024 will be
- children aged between 2 to 3 years £6.10
- children aged between 3 to 5 years £5.60
- Apply for nursery form (PDF)
- Child's birth certificate - or, if informed by the nursery, their passport
- Proof of your address, such as a Council Tax letter or utility bill
For more information email earlyyears@edinburgh.gov.uk.
Applying for a place
Please submit one application only to your first choice setting and agree when you can drop off your documents at the nursery. To apply please take along the documents noted below:
When completing the form for a local authority nursery, you must give a second and third choice.
To apply at a partner-provider nursery or a childminder please contact them directly.
Children who do not live in Edinburgh
Parents who are not residents in Edinburgh can access their early learning and childcare funded hours in any of our local authority settings
Download the
Find nurseries
Search for a nursery in your area
Download a print-friendly list of council and partner provide centres - PDF
Please note, some downloads may not be accessible. For help, call 0131 200 2000.