From August 2020, all 3-5 year olds are entitled to 1140 hours per year of funded (free) early learning and childcare (ELC) in Scotland.
Options
To make sure there are choices across Perth and Kinross, we have created 11 early learning and childcare communities. Each of these communities will have access to a mix of attendance options at funded providers including term time, 45 week and 50 week options as appropriate; with some settings offering hours between 8 am - 6 pm. The communities also allow for prioritisation of places in local authority nursery classes. Details of these options are available in the Nursery locations and attendance patterns page.
Details of these options are available in the 2026/2027 Nursery Policy and Guidelines (PDF, 413 KB). As well as attendance options available, parents and carers are able to use one or more settings to access the funded hours.
Eligibility criteria
Terms 2025-2026
We are still accepting applications for session 2025-26 for eligible children.
| Children born between | Eligible to start nursery |
|---|---|
| 1 January 2022 and 28 February 2022 | After Easter break (From 23 April 2025) |
| 1 March 2022 and 31 August 2022 | Start of school session (August 2025) |
| 1 September 2022 and 31 December 2022 | After Christmas break (From 7 January 2026) |
| 1 January 2023 and 28 February 2023 | After Easter break (From 20 April 2026) |
How to apply for a nursery place (2025-2026) - for new places and continuing ELC places
Please visit Register for a local authority nursery place for school year and select session 2025/26. You will also be required to submit an application for session 2026/27 to retain the place next year.
Terms 2026-2027
| Children born between | Eligible to start nursery |
|---|---|
| 1 January 2023 and 28 February 2023 | After Easter break (From 20 April 2026) |
| 1 March 2023 and 31 August 2023 | Start of school session (August 2026) |
| 1 September 2023 and 31 December 2023 | After Christmas break (From 7 January 2027) |
| 1 January 2024 and 28 February 2024 | After Easter break (From 12 April 2027) |
How to apply for a nursery place (2026-2027) - for new places and continuing ELC places
If your child is currently attending an ELC setting and you wish to continue in ELC for session 2026-2027 please also complete the 2026-2027 application Register for a local authority nursery place for school year .
Evidence to provide at application
- Birth certificate
- Proof of your residency at the time of application - this must be a copy of Council Tax documentation
Information regarding the allocation of all nursery places within Perth and Kinross is contained within our 2025/2026 Nursery Policy and Guidelines (PDF, 413 KB).
Please note: A place in a local authority nursery class does not give priority in gaining a place in the same school when enrolling for a primary or secondary school place, more information can be found on the Primary and secondary school enrolmentpage.
Deferred entry
All children who will turn five years old before the first day of term in August must enter into primary one. Children who will have their fifth birthday between the first day of term in August and 28 February, can automatically defer entry to primary school and access an additional year of funded ELC. Parents must complete the form on Register for a local authority nursery place for school year to ensure a place in ELC provision if they choose for their child not to go to school.
Further information on accessing an additional year of ELC can be found at Additional year of ELC Parent Guidance 26-27 (PDF, 367 KB).
Further information for parents
For further information you should contact your local school or funded provider.
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