ELC Admissions Policy

Aberdeen City Council has a statutory duty to provide pre-school education places. These may be free places at local authority nurseries or funded places at registered pre-school education centres in the private, voluntary and independent sectors.

Early Learning and Childcare in Aberdeen is changing!
Aberdeen City Council is committed to offering high quality, flexible Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) for all three and four year olds and eligible two year olds. Early Learning and Childcare is about learning and development through play, exploring and most importantly – having fun!
What is changing?
From August 2020 the Scottish Government is increasing the number of funded hours your child can access from 600 to 1140, you can also use your funded hours in a more flexible way.
The increase to 1140 hours means around 30 hours per week during school term time or around 22 hours if taken through the year. Parents/Carers do not have to use the full entitlement.
Where can I access ELC hours?
From August, any provider who meets the new National Standard and who has a contract with Aberdeen City Council can offer funded hours. Hours can be offered at:
o Local Authority ELC Settings
o Private ELC Settings
o Childminders
o Playgroups
o Gaelic Provision
o Outdoor Provision
The biggest change is the way you can use your funded hours – there is now much more flexibility. Your child may be able to access:
o Full days
o Part days
o Term time
o Up to 50 weeks per year (depending on which provider you choose)
o More than one provider (for example a Private Nursery and Childminder)
When do I apply?
Application forms will be available in schools and online (www.aberdeencity.gov.uk) from 27th January 2020. The full Early Learning and Childcare Admissions Policy and further information on the application process online at the same time.
As each setting will offer a different model of provision – full details of which will be published nearer application time – we encourage all parents/carers to check the availability of hours in their area.