Funded early learning and childcare is available to eligible parents and carers of two-year-olds.
Also from August 2025, you will be able to buy additional ELC from either Carnoustie or Forfar or Monifieth Early Learning and Childcare Centres (ELCCs). For further information see buying additional ELC.
Who can apply?
You can get up to 1140 hours of funded early learning and childcare if your child has turned two and you receive one of the following:
Qualifying benefits
Universal Credit
- your monthly total household take-home pay must be £850 or less.
"Take-home pay" is how much money your household gets after tax, National Insurance and pension contributions have been taken from your pay.
Find out your take-home pay in the monthly statement of your Universal Credit account.
Other benefits
- Income Support
- Income-based Job Seeker’s Allowance
- Employment and Support Allowance (income-related)
- Incapacity Benefit or Severe Disablement Allowance
- State Pension Credit
- Support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 (Support for Asylum Seekers)
Experience of care
Funded places are also available for two-year-olds who are, or have been at any point:
- looked after by a local council
- in kinship care
- appointed a guardian
- the child of a care experienced parent or carer*
* “Care experienced” relates to parents or carers who have been looked after or looked after and accommodated by the local authority at any stage in their life, no matter how short. This care may have been provided in one of many different settings or through being looked after at home.
We may also offer funded places to two-year-olds who don’t meet the Scottish Government eligibility criteria. These requests are considered by Early Years’ Managers using the supporting information provided on the application form.
For information on other financial supports available see financial support for parents, children and young people.
Settings that offer places for two-year-olds
Arbroath
- Abbie Childminding
- Sharon Birkett (childminder)
- Carmyllie ELC
- Caroline Cathro (childminder)
- Susan Crompton (childminder)
- Friockheim And Kinnell Playgroup
- Hayshead Playgroup
- Inverbrothock Playgroup
- Ladybird Playgroup
- Ladyloan ELC
- Little Leapers Nursery School
- Lynda Marr (childminder)
- Louise McFarlane (childminder)
- Joanne McKenzie (childminder)
- McKirday Childminding (childminder)
- Shaunagh Milne (childminder)
- Muirfield Playgroup
- Gemma Robertson (childminder)*
- Rosemount Little Rascals*
- Sweet Home (Childminder)*
*From August 2025, Gemma Robertson, Rosemount Little Rascals and Sweet Home may not be able to offer funded ELC as their contract status is not yet confirmed. Please contact the ELC setting for further information.
Brechin
- Andover ELC
- Playspaces
- Smallworld Nursery
Carnoustie
- Carnoustie ELCC
- Karen Craigie (childminder)
- Doreen Hally (childminder)
- Monikie ELC
- Panmure Preschool
- Scallywags Nursery
Forfar
- Chimes Playgroup
- Susan Cox (childminder)
- Forfar ELCC
- Jack and Jill’s Elite Nursery
- Keli Tots (childminder)
- Lemon Tree Nursery
- Donna McEwing (childminder)
- Mothergoose Playgroup
- Shirley Ogg (childminder)
- Margaret Reid (childminder)*
- Laura Simpson (childminder)
- Stepping Stones Playgroup
- Claire Stirton Childminding (Childminder)
- Strathmore ELC
- The Wendyhouse Children’s Nursery*
- Leanne Urquhart (childminder)
*From August 2025, Margaret Reid and the Wendyhouse Children’s Nursery may not be able to offer funded ELC as their contract status is not yet confirmed. Please contact the ELC setting for further information.
Kirriemuir
- Little Cherubs (childminder)*
- Little Newts Childminding (Childminder)
- Newtyle ELC
- Northmuir ELC
- Southmuir ELC
- Sunshine Playschool*
- The Wendyhouse Children’s Nursery
*From August 2025, Little Cherubs and Sunshine Playschool may not be able to offer funded ELC as their contract status is not yet confirmed. Please contact the ELC setting for further information.
Monifieth
- Teddy Bear Childcare*
*From August 2025, Teddy Bear Childcare may not be able to offer funded ELC as their contract status is not yet confirmed. Please contact the ELC setting for further information.
Montrose
- Ferryden Playgroup
- Little Beehive Nursery
- Lochside Playgroup
- Playspaces Montrose*
- Rompers Nursery
*From August 2025, Playspaces Montrose may not be able to offer funded ELC as their contract status is not yet confirmed. Please contact the ELC setting for further information.
Sidlaws
- Auchterhouse ELC
- Tiddlywinks Nursery*
*From August 2025, Tiddlywinks may not be able to offer funded ELC as their contract status is not yet confirmed. Please contact the ELC setting for further information.
If your child is 2½ years old and you meet the above criteria places may also be available at:
Arbroath
- Helping Hands Nursery
Kirriemuir
- Charleston Playgroup
Monifieth
- Grange Playgroup
How to apply
Applications for two-year-olds should be completed no earlier than three months before your child's second birthday.
You will need:
- details from your child's full birth certificate or passport
- proof of eligibility for a funded early learning and childcare place
- contact details of professionals involved with your child (such as GP, health visitor, speech therapist)
When applying for a funded early learning and childcare place you will be asked to upload copies of the following documents. Where appropriate, the proof of eligibility document should be dated within three months of the requested start date, include a full, current postal address and all pages of the benefit award letters/statements are required including the Universal Credit take home pay where applicable:
- your child’s full birth certificate or passport
and
- proof of eligibility for a funded place *
* two reasons when proof is not required is Support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 (Support for Asylum Seekers) and the child of a care experienced parent or carer.
Apply for funded early learning and childcare
Submitted applications will be accessed by your chosen ELC setting(s). Should your first choice ELC setting(s) not be able to offer your child a place, your application will be moved to your second choice and so on.