All children aged three and four can access up to 1140 hours of funded Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) each year. Some two-year-olds can also access funded ELC. To find out if your two-year-old is eligible, see ELC for two-year-olds.
There is commitment that the learning and care will be of a high quality and will offer flexibility and choice for you as parents and carers.
You now have more choice about where and when you can access your child’s funded ELC. Your provider must:
- meet the high standards expected of all funded providers
- have a place available
- be willing to enter into a contract with the local authority for funded ELC provision
We are responsible for deciding whether a provider in Angus meets the required standard, and for managing all of the contracts and funding.
What are the benefits of ELC?
ELC offers a safe, nurturing environment with opportunities for your child to make friends and learn through play with other children. There is a wide range of experiences to support your child’s learning, the benefits of which they take forward into school.
Does my child qualify?
All children aged three or four are eligible to access up to 1140 hours of funded ELC in Angus from the beginning of the term after their third birthday.
Children who are still age four on the day they would usually start primary one can defer when they start primary school and can access an additional year of funded ELC. To find out more see deferred entry to primary one and accessing an additional year of funded ELC.
Some two-year-old children will also be eligible if they meet one of the criteria set by Scottish Government.
Providers
In Angus, there are a variety of providers offering funded ELC. You can choose from a private nursery, playgroup or childminder who has a contract with Angus Council or one of our ELC settings. You can choose more than one provider and they don’t even need to be in Angus. They only need to meet the criteria set out above.
View a list of all providers of funded ELC in Angus
Catchment areas
Primary school catchment areas do not apply to early learning and childcare. Catchment areas do still apply to primary school enrolments for admission to primary one onwards. Attendance at any local authority ELC setting will not give your child priority for a place at that school when starting primary one unless it is the setting of your primary catchment school.
Next: Funded ELC options