Early Learning and Childcare Applications

1,140 hours are available to all children aged three to five years old, as well as some two-year-olds. The focus is on flexibility for families, as well as an emphasis on quality and a strong connection with outdoor learning and learning through play.

When does my three-year-old's funded placement start?

All children who will be three years of age before the 1 March 2028 will be entitled to receive up to 1140 hours statutory funded place during session 2027-2028.

For session 2027-2028 starting on 1 August 2027, start dates for Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) placements will be in keeping with Scottish Government legislation and continue to allow for all eligible children to receive their statutory entitlement up to 1140 hours.

The government funding start dates are where a child's third birthday fall on or between:

• 1 March and 31 August 2027 they will be eligible for funding from August 2027 (autumn term) occurring in that year.
• 1 September and 31 December 2027 they will be eligible for funding from January 2028 (spring term) following their birthday.
• 1 January and last day of February 2028 they will be eligible for funding from April 2028 (summer term) following their birthday.

Parents or carers of a child whose funded place will start at any of these times should apply before Friday, 27 November 2026.

Parents or carers of children applying to North Lanarkshire Council from another local authority should be guided by the Cross Boundary Protocol.

Applying for an Early Learning and Childcare placement

Children will normally attend an ELC establishment closest to their home but you can apply to any establishment, in line with the admissions policy, should you wish to do so.

You should return your completed application form by email, post or hand it in to your first choice of ELC provider by Friday, 27 November 2026.

This deadline applies to applications for a funded place that is due to start at any time during the 2027/28 session, be it the Autumn 2027, Spring 2028 or Summer 2028 term.

Outcome letters for ELC applications submitted by the closing date of 27 November 2026, will be issued by second-class post on 26 February 2027.

For parents and carers of children turning three before 1 March 2027, and still looking to apply for a ELC placement for their child in session 2026/2027, please complete the ELC application form below. 

Applications should be returned to your first choice setting.

Our ELC providers include local authority-run nursery classes and family learning centres, independently run nurseries and childminders. We have a framework of funded providers which is updated annually. All funded providers meet the national standards so that you are able to claim your childcare entitlement.

You can search our directory for ELC providers by name or location. Local authority-run nursery classes are further categorised by delivery model - some operate only during term time, some over 48 weeks while others offer both models. Use 'category' in the search box if you are interested in identifying council settings offering a particular model.

• Term time 38 weeks: six hours per day over 38 weeks of an academic year
• Full Time 48 week: normally offer four hours 45 minutes per day, five morning sessions 8am to 12:45pm or five afternoon sessions 1:15pm to 6pm, where possible this can be flexible depending on individual's working requirements.

We provide Gaelic Medium Early Years education. Find out more in our Gaelic learning section.