Early Learning & Childcare - Information for Parents
a2017-18 Registration Form 2018-19 Registration Form 2018-19 Registration Form (Phase One)
2018-19 Registration Form (Two year olds only) 2018-19 Job Centre Form (two year olds only)
Find all the information you need to register your child for early learning and childcare.
All three and four year olds, and some two year olds, can receive funded early learning and childcare for 600 hours a year. From 2018, there will be a phased approach to increasing the hours available to 1,140 hours a year. In 2020, the increased hours will be available for everyone.
| A child whose date of birth is between: |
Will be eligible for a funded place from: |
Type of place: |
| 15 August 2012 and 28 February 2013 |
15 August 2017 | Deferred Entry |
| 1 March 2013 and 28 February 2014 |
15 August 2017 | Pre-school |
| 1 March 2014 and 31 August 2014 |
15 August 2017 | Ante pre-school |
| 1 September 2014 and 31 December 2014 |
8 January 2018 | Ante pre-school |
| 1 January 2015 and 28 February 2015 |
16 April 2018 | Ante pre-school |
| A child whose date of birth is between: |
Will be eligible for a funded place from: |
Type of place: |
| 15 August 2013 and 28 February 2014 |
14 August 2018 | Deferred Entry |
| 1 March 2014 and 28 February 2015 |
14 August 2018 | Pre-school |
| 1 March 2015 and 31 August 2015 |
14 August 2018 | Ante pre-school |
| 1 September 2015 and 31 December 2015 |
7 January 2019 | Ante pre-school |
| 1 January 2016 and 28 February 2016 |
15 April 2019 | Ante pre-school |
Two year olds are eligible for 600 hours of funded early learning and childcare if they meet one of the qualifying criteria. Some eligible two year olds will be entitled to 1,140 hours of funded early learning and childcare from August 2018 if they live in one of these postcode areas.
More eligible two year olds will receive the increased hours from August 2019.
List of Providers Providers by ASG Area Search for Providers (interactive map)
The choice of nursery or childminder is entirely up to you.* Register with your preferred provider. There are a limited number of places available so you will be asked to list a second and third choice.
We only offer childminder places for eligible two year olds. To find out which childminders offer this service, please contact us.
Search for Childminders on Moray Family Information Service
* Providers for the increased childcare provision (phase one) are limited to the following:
Moray Council nurseries: Lady Cathcart (Buckie), Millbank (Buckie), Lhanbryde, Seafield (Elgin)
Partner providers: Bishopmill Pre-School Centre (Elgin), Curious Minds (Elgin), Jack and Jill Nursery School (Elgin), Liberty Kids (Elgin), Magic Roundabout (Elgin), Moray College Nursery (Elgin), VIP Childcare (Elgin), Spring Childcare (Kinloss - formerly Kinloss Day Care Centre), Rainbow Childcare and Education (Forres), childminders (for two year olds only)
Find out more about your childcare providers from Care Inspectorate
You are invited to register your child at your preferred nursery or childminder during the registration week. This takes place week commencing 15 January 2018 for children born between 1 March 2015 and 19 February 2016 (school session 2018/19).
To register, complete a registration form and return it to your preferred choice. Take your child's birth certificate and a proof of address with you at the time of registration. If you are not able to register during the registration week, please contact us.
2018-19 Funded ELC Registration Form - for three and four year olds.
2018-19 Funded ELC Registration Form (Phase One) - for three and four year olds registering at Lhanbryde, Lady Cathcart (new nursery in Buckie), Milbank, Seafield nurseries or children entitled to 1,140 hours from August 2018 and registering with a partner nursery.
2018-19 ELC Registration Form (Two year olds only) - for eligible two year olds.
2018-19 ELC Job Centre Form (Two year olds only) - to be completed alongside two year old registration form.
Registration is not the same as enrolment and funded places can be allocated during the school year.
When offering funded early learning and childcare places, the criteria to prioritise eligibility are:
- Child with existing attendance at the centre
- Child resident in secondary catchment area and sibling at centre
- 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 at centre
- 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 (distance being calculated by the straight line method).
After you have registered your child you can expect to receive a letter confirming your place as follows:
| Eligible start date | Enrolment letters sent out |
| August | April or May |
| January | November or December |
| April | February or March |
You will not receive a letter if your choice for early learning and childcare 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 to discuss alternatives.
Some of our partner nurseries and childminders offer full day care services. You will be charged for any additional non-funded hours. Assistance towards the cost of early learning and childcare may be available through the Working Families Tax Credit. More information is available from the Scottish Families Information Service.
ELC Expansion Parent Information Session January 2018 (PDF)
Contact Us
Education and Social Care
Council Office
High Street
Elgin
IV30 1BX
01343 563374