Enrol your child for early learning and childcare
What is ELC all about and is it for us?
ELC stands for Early Learning and Childcare and includes providers like nurseries, playgroups and commissioned childminders. In those early years ELC can make a huge difference to families with young children. In an Early Learning and Childcare setting children can learn together through playing and having fun. It is a great way to learn skills for the future. However, ELC is not statutory, and it is for you to decide whether you want your child to participate and for how many hours from those available.
All 3 and 4-year olds, and eligible two-year olds, are entitled to funded Early Learning and Childcare.
Can my child have a place? All children are eligible to an ELC place after they reach 3 years old until they start school, with start dates as follows:
What about 2 year olds? The Scottish Government offers funded places for some 2-year old children: If you have a 2-year old child and receive certain benefits you could be entitled to free childcare. The hours become available within the eligibility dates after you, the parent, start receiving one of the following benefits: In addition, children aged two or over who are (or have been at any point since turning two) looked after by a local Council, the subject of a kinship care or guardianship order are eligible for a funded place. How do I choose an ELC setting or Childminder? In parts of Highland you may have a choice of different types of settings. The main thing is that you feel comfortable with the setting/s you choose and that your child will be happy there. All children are entitled to a funded meal if their session is 4 or more hours. You may wish to enquire how this works in the setting/s you are interested in. Can I split my child’s entitlement over different settings? Yes, you can split your child’s entitled hours over more than one provider. How do I enrol? Please follow the Map of ELC settings or contact your your choice of setting then make direct contact and they will be able to advise you on enrolment arrangements. What does ‘funding follows the child’ mean? Even if you change provider at any point in the year the funding will go to the new local authority setting, partner nursery or commissioned childminder. You don’t need to do anything other than register with any new provider and deregister with the previous setting. We need a month’s notice of your change of provider.
When do I know if we have a place? This can be an anxious time and decisions will be made as quickly as possible.
My child had additional needs, what do I do? If you feel your child may need additional help in your chosen setting, talk to the setting and to your health visitor about what support your child might need.
What if I have more questions? This is just a short guide, so if you have a question it does not cover, you are welcome to get in touch. The first place to ask would be your local ELC setting by e-mail or telephone.
Birth Date
Eligibility
17 August 2016 - 28 February 2017
17 August 2021 (deferred entry)
1 March 2018 – 31 August 2018
17 August 2021
1 September 2018 – 31 December 2018
6 January 2022
1 September 2019 – 28 February 2019
19 April 2022
Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit, and an income below £7,320;
or the Working Tax Credit 4 week run on (the payment you get when you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit)
In Highland there are different types of early learning and childcare with parents able to choose one or a mix of service provision to suit your needs:
The interactive map that can be accessed from the following link will provide you with an over view of the different provision in your area.
Map of ELC settings
ELC-north@highland.gov.uk
01955 609665
ELC-mid@highland.gov.uk
01349 868496
ELC-west@highland.gov.uk
01349 781444
ELC-south@highland.gov.uk
01463 702740
Information for parents
- Preparing for School in August
- Parent Club
- Bumps2Bairns
- Enrolment Information for Parents and Carers
Careers in ELC
- Making a Difference - find out about a career in ELC
- Applying for a post within Highland Council
- Highland Council Apprectices Leaflet
- Highland Council Career Pathway
- Highland Council ELC Leaflet