Funded Pre School Education

• Information for parents / carers - funded pre-school education
• Who provides pre-school education?
• How will I know if a centre provides a good standard of pre-school education?
• Which centre should I choose?
• Eligibility
• Registration (School session August 2011 - July 2012 and August 2012 - July 2013)
• Childcare

The information on this page is also available in leaflet format in English and Polish.  Leaflets are available to download - see the Documents box on the right-hand side of this page.

Information for parents / carers - funded pre-school education

The Government funds part-time pre-school education places for children aged 3 - 5.

A funded part-time place offers up to 5 sessions (2½ hours per session) of pre-school education per week.  The quantity of sessions available may vary amongst providers.

Pre-school education is not statutory, and it is for parents / carers to decide whether they want their child to participate.  As pre-school education is not statutory, The Moray Council has no transport provision available.

Who provides pre-school education?

There are currently 21 primary schools which provide nursery classes and 36 centres which work in partnership with the Local Authority to provide pre-school education.

A list of registered providers can be viewed at http://www.moray.gov.uk/downloads/file53812.doc

How will I know if a centre provides a good standard of pre-school education?

All centres must meet the standards set by the Care Inspectorate, and will be inspected regularly.  Providers are required to observe national curriculum guidelines.

The Moray Council also works with centres to ensure quality, and to improve the experience offered to the children.  If you have any concerns about a centre you can raise them with the centre itself, or with The Moray Council.

All centres are registered under the Regulation of Care (Scotland) Act 2001, and are inspected annually, and must meet and maintain the standards set by the Care Inspectorate.

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Which centre should I choose?

The choice of centre is entirely up to you.  You should register at the centre you would prefer to attend, but each centre will have a limited number of places available.  The registration form asks you to list a second and third choice of centre, and The Moray Council will contact these centres on your behalf if your child cannot be accommodated in your preferred choice of centre.

The Moray Council tries to ensure that places are well matched to meet the needs of both children and parents, but cannot guarantee that your child will be placed at your preferred centre, or that you will receive your choice of a morning or an afternoon place.

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Eligibility

The table below confirms eligibility for the session 2011/2012

Registration

In January each year, an advert appears in the local press, and posters are displayed within the local neighbourhood, inviting parents to register their child at their preferred pre-school education centre week during the registration week (which is normally mid-January).  If you are not able to register at this time, you can print a registration form and return it either to your preferred Pre-School Education Centre or Education and Social Care, Council Offices, Elgin, IV30 1BX, Telephone (01343) 563267, Fax (01343) 563478, Email EducationalServices@moray.gov.uk

Note : If your child's date of birth is between 01/03/10 and 28/02/11 he / she will become eligible for a funded place in the session 2013/2014, and you should not register until January 2013.

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Childcare

Some partner pre-school centres can offer day-care services, although the centre will charge you for the additional care element.  Assistance towards the cost of childcare may be available through the Working Families Tax Credit.  For more information telephone 0845 300 3900 or visit www.direct.gov.uk  More information concerning childcare is available from The Moray Childcare Information Service (telephone 01343 545368) or from Scottish Childcare

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