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GrantScotland

Funded Early Learning and Childcare (Scotland)

Local councils (Scottish Government funded)

At a glance

Who it's for
Individuals and households in Scotland. Full eligibility rules are below.
What you get
Up to 1,140 funded hours a year per child (about 30 hours a week in term time)
How to claim
Apply through your local council (mygov.scot links to each council's page). Private nurseries and childminders offering funded hours must be in partnership with the council.
Where
Scotland
Deadline
No fixed deadline

Description

Every 3 and 4 year old in Scotland is entitled to up to 1,140 hours a year of free early learning and childcare, about 30 hours a week in term time or 22 hours a week if spread across the whole year. It isn't means-tested and doesn't depend on whether parents work, unlike England's 30 hours. It's arranged through your local council and can be used at council nurseries or at approved private nurseries and childminders. Some 2 year olds also qualify.

Amount

Up to 1,140 funded hours a year per child (about 30 hours a week in term time)

Deadline

Rolling / no fixed deadline

Eligibility summary

  • Available in: Scotland.
  • Open to individuals — not restricted to businesses.
Notes
Verified Oct 2026 directly on mygov.scot's 'Funded early learning and childcare' page (footer 'last updated 1 Apr 2026'): up to 1,140 hours a year, about 22 hours a week all year or 30 hours a week in term time; free to parents. Council-nursery start dates: a child turning 3 between 1 March and 31 August starts in August; 1 September–31 December, in January; 1 January–end of February, in March or April. A child who is 4 on their school start date can defer school and keep the funded hours. The 2-year-old eligibility page linked from mygov.scot returned a 404 in this pass, so its qualifying criteria are deliberately not listed here. Not modelled on Profile.ageBand, since eligibility turns on the child's age.
Requirement
Your child is 3 to 5 and not yet at primary school (universal, no income or work test). Some 2 year olds also qualify on additional criteria set out by mygov.scot and the council.

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How to apply

Apply through your local council (mygov.scot links to each council's page). Private nurseries and childminders offering funded hours must be in partnership with the council.

View official source

Last verified: 25 October 2026. See the footer disclaimer — this is general information, not financial or tax advice.