Early Learning & Childcare - Information for Parents

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 – you may find reading the Your Choices booklet helpful in deciding.

*Childminders can currently provide places for funded two year olds only – this will include three and four year olds from August 2020. To find out which childminders offer places for funded two year olds please search for childminders on  Moray Family Information Service.

You must register with your preferred provider but as there is a limited number of places in each setting you should list a second and third choice too.

You can find out what hours and sessions are offered at each nursery in Moray

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 14 January 2019 for children born between 1 March 2016 and 19 February 2017 (school session 2019/20).

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 2019 and registering with a partner nursery.

2019-20 Registration Form (Phase 1 & 2) - for three and four year olds registering at Cullen, Lhanbryde, Lady Cathcart, Millbank, Seafield, Burghead, Keith, Milnes, Rothes, St Gerardine, New Elgin, Tomintoul or Pilmuir nurseries or children entitled to 1,140 hours from August 2019 and registering with a partner nursery.

2019-20 Registration Form (Phase 3) - for three and four year olds registering at Aberlour, Bishopmill, East End, Findochty, Hopeman, Hythehill, Kinloss, Mortlach, Portgordon, St Peter's or St Thomas nurseries or 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.

2019-20 Registration Form (Two Year olds only) - for eligible two year olds.

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:

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.

Pre-consultation Consolidation Presentation

ELC Expansion Phase 2 Presentation

Your Choices - Moray's Early Years Guide

ELC Expansion Parent FAQs

Audit Scotland Parents' Guide to ELC

Childcare Choices