Find early learning and childcare

Your child will receive funded nursery hours the term after their third birthday. All children receive the full number of hours they are entitled to in all nurseries - Council or private ones - open all year or term time only. For the first year the number of funded hours depends on your child’s birthday.

Private nurseries and childminders offer nursery places for children under three at full cost, unless you are eligible for free early learning and childcare for two-year olds

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.

Buying extra hours in nurseries for 3 year olds

You may be able to buy extra hours in Council nurseries before the term after your child's third birthday.  

Example

• child’s birthday is 10 September 2021
• you can buy hours from 10 September 2024 to 6 January 2025
• funded nursery hours start from 7 January 2025

The cost for extra hours is

• £6.10 for 2 to 3 years olds
• £5.60 for 3 to 5 year olds

For more information please speak directly to your nursery.

Find out more about Early Years in Edinburgh delivery plans for improvement (PDF). 

Applying for a place 

Please only apply to your first choice nursery and agree when you can drop off your documents at the nursery. You will need to take

• apply for nursery form (PDF)
• you 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.

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.

Costs

• you should not be asked to make any upfront payments such as deposits for your child’s funded hours
• you should not be charged any top up or surcharge fees for your child’s funded hours
• you do not have to buy extra hours to use your child’s funded hours
• the only costs you should pay are optional and only for additional snacks or the cost for outings that would incur an additional charge i.e. a trip to to the theatre

Children who do not live in Edinburgh

If you do not live in Edinburgh, you can apply for a place for your funded hours in one of our nurseries. Please be aware that priority is given to children living in Edinburgh.

Early Years admissions criteria

Nursery admissions - flowchart

Find nurseries 

Search for a nursery in your area

Find a childminder

Download a print-friendly list of council and partner provide centres - PDF

Please note, some downloads may not be accessible. For help earlyyears@edinburgh.gov.uk.