Parents and carers who wish to apply for a funded place for August 2024 in an Aberdeen City Council school or nursery setting providing Early Learning and Childcare can do so online from today (Tuesday 30 January) until Wednesday 14 February 2024.
Parent and carers only need to apply for children who do not have a current place at a Local Authority Early Learning Childcare/Nursery setting.
All applications made within the application period will be classed as 'on time'. Applications are assessed according to criteria and are not prioritised by the date they are received.
The application window closes from 15 February until 31 March 2024, and parents are advised that they will be unable to submit an application during this time.
Councillor Martin Greig, convener of the Education and Children’s Services Committee, said: “The Council will do its best to provide funded Early Learning and Childcare places that meet the needs of the young people as well as parents and carers. Hopefully, the website will offer a relatively straightforward process to apply online."
Councillor Jessica Mennie, vice-convener, of Education and Children’s Services Committee, said: “There is a dedicated webpage with information to help inform parents and carers of the various options available, before they submit an Early Learning Childcare application and Frequently Asked Questions, which they should find useful.”
Before applying, parents and carers are advised to read the Early Learning and Childcare Guide: 1140 Hours 2024-2025.
The policy document provides details on:
- Criteria for Early Learning and Childcare Admissions
- Priority Early Learning and Childcare places
- Outdoor Early Learning and Childcare / Nurseries
- Age of children for enrolling
- ELC (Early Learning and Childcare) for eligible 2-year-old children
- ELC for children with Additional Support Needs (ASN)
- Targeted support
- Deferred entry to Primary One
- Early entry to Primary One
- Right to Appeal
- Cross boundary agreement with Aberdeenshire Council
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) are also available on the website to help parents and carers to complete the online application.