Early Learning & Childcare (ELC)
The Scottish Government currently funds early learning and childcare a year for three, four and eligible two year olds. In Moray, this is delivered by a combination of school nurseries, independent (private and third sector) early learning and childcare providers, and childminders.
Since August 2020 all three and four year olds and eligible two year olds in Moray are entitled to up to 1140 hours of funded early learning and childcare per academic year (August to July), paid for by the Scottish Government.
Nursery registration for the 2022/23 session starting in August 2022 for children born between 1 March 2018 and 29 February 2020 will commence on 17th January 2022 and will run for two weeks. Please note that parents should not attend nurseries to register - if you are unable to apply online, please contact ELCadmin@moray.gov.uk or 01343 563374.
To apply online, you will need the following information:
- Address and contact details for all parents/carers, including postcode
- Birth certificate (saved as a jpg, png, pdf or zip) - a scan or a photograph will suffice - please make sure that the details are clearly readable on the scan/photograph you provide.
- Proof of main residence (saved as a jpg, png, pdf or zip) A valid driving licence, tax credit statements, council tax bill, utilities bill dated within 3 months of your application date (January 2022), MOD 1132, signed missives if moving into new property. *please note that we cannot accept bank/credit card statements
- Emergency contacts details
- Medical conditions (eg. allergies) and any medication taken
- Doctors surgery details
Registration for the ongoing 2021/22 session - Application Form 2021/22 Session (Two Year Olds only)
| A child whose date of birth is between: |
Will be eligible for a funded place from: |
Type of place: |
| 17 August 2016 and 28 February 2017 |
17 August 2021 | Deferred Entry |
| 1 March 2017 and 28 February 2018 |
17 August 2021 | Pre-school |
| 1 March 2018 and 31 August 2018 |
17 August 2021 | Ante pre-school |
| 1 September 2018 and 31 December 2018 |
10 January 2022 | Ante pre-school |
| 1 January 2019 and 28 February 2019 |
18 April 2022 | Ante pre-school |
Session 2022/2023
| A child whose date of birth is between: |
Will be eligible for a funded place from: |
Type of place: |
| 16 August 2017 and 28 February 2018 |
16 August 2022 | Deferred Entry |
| 1 March 2018 and 28 February 2019 |
16 August 2022 | Pre-school |
| 1 March 2019 and 31 August 2019 |
16 August 2022 | Ante pre-school |
| 1 September 2019 and 31 December 2019 |
9 January 2023 | Ante pre-school |
| 1 January 2020 and 29 February 2020 |
17 April 2023 | Ante pre-school |
Two year olds are eligible for up to 1140 hours of funded ELC per academic year (August to July) if they meet one of the qualifying criteria.
Early learning and childcare is not statutory, and it is for parents to decide whether they want their child to participate. As early learning and childcare is not statutory, Moray Council does not provide transport.
List of Providers Providers by ASG Area Check Sessions and Times for each Provider (Online form)
Your choice of nursery or childminder is entirely your decision - you may find our early years guide for parents helpful to give you hints and tips about things to consider.
You must register with your preferred provider but as there are a limited number of places in each setting you should list a second and third choice too.
Find out more about your preferred childcare provider from the Care Inspectorate Website
You can find a list of registered childminders in Moray here.
When allocating funded ELC places, priority is given as follows:
- Child with existing attendance in the nursery
- Child resident in secondary catchment area and sibling in the nursery
- Child resident in secondary catchment
- Child with Co-ordinated Support Plan (CSP), and/or assessment by the Education Authority
- Child outwith secondary catchment area and sibling in the nursery
- Child outwith the secondary catchment area
Priority within any of the six categories above, where it is necessary to be determined, will be given to older children first and then to those resident closest to the setting (distance being calculated by the straight line method).
After you have registered you can expect to receive a letter confirming your place as follows:
| Eligible start date | Allocation letters sent out |
| August | April/May |
| January | November/December |
| April | February |
You will not receive a letter if your first choice is full. You will automatically be contacted by the nursery or childminder that you listed as your next choice.
If all of your choices are full, you will be contacted by the Moray Council Early Years team to discuss alternatives.
Some nurseries and childminders offer full day care services - you will be charged for any additional hours you use over and above your funded hours. Assistance towards the cost of ELC may be available through the Working Families Tax Credit.
Your Choices - Moray's Early Years Guide
Also available in the following languages - Lithuanian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian and Spanish
A lot of parents may perhaps have questions around Funded Early Learning and Childcare. To get answers to your questions or for more information please click here.
Audit Scotland Parents' Guide to ELC
Nursery Lunch and Light Tea Menu
Nursery Vegi Lunch and Light Tea Menu
Allergen Information for Nursery Meals
Allergen Information for Nursery Meals in Fochabers and Keith
Eligibility for increased Early Learning & Childcare provision