Parents and carers with a child turning three on or before 28th February 2025 are being encouraged to apply for a nursery or childcare place.
Applications can be made online or by downloading the form available on the Council’s website.
All three and four-year-olds are entitled to up to 1,140 hours of free early learning and childcare at any council nursery or funded private nurseries and childminders approved by Renfrewshire Council. Parents and carers have the option of term-time placements or spreading the hours across the whole year.
Applications should be submitted by 31 January, with parents and carers getting confirmation of their places in May. Places will start from August 2024.
Anyone with a child who will turn 2 soon and is eligible for a free early learning and childcare place should also apply for nursery or childminding. The eligibility criteria is available on the Council’s website.
After places are confirmed, parents and carers can also talk to their nursery or childminder about buying additional hours—also known as wraparound. These additional hours will be dependent on capacity.
Education and Children’s Services Convener, Councillor Emma Rodden, said: “Children learn so much by socialising with their peers while at nursery or childcare. Early learning and childcare supports children to develop socially, emotionally, physically and cognitively and helps them have the best start in life.
“Staff help children lead their own learning based on what interests them, which develops their confidence and self-esteem. I have visited many of the nurseries and early learning and childcare centres and classes here in Renfrewshire recently and have witnessed first-hand how valuable these positive experiences can be for our children, helping them grow as confident individuals.”
Visit www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/apply-nursery to apply and for more information.
Headline Photo: A staff member and three children at Hugh Smiley Early Learning and Childcare Centre in Paisley