Funded early learning and childcare (ELC) is available to:
- all 3 and 4 year olds
- eligible 2 year olds
Entitlement is 1140 hours per year.
There are no 'catchment areas' for early years establishments. You will be asked to choose 3 suitable establishments. These may be close to your home, or place of work. Please note: it is not always possible to place children in the early years establishment of choice. Read our priority banding criteria (PDF, 127kb).
Find details of early years establishments below:
Applications are for placements that involve North Ayrshire Council establishments, including blended placements. You may choose a private, or voluntary funded, provider establishment or childminder. Contact them directly for availability of places.
ELC for 3 and 4 year olds
You may access funded ELC from the term after your child’s 3rd birthday.
Check your child's entitlement
| Child turns 3 years old between | Eligible from |
|---|
| 1 March to 31 August inclusive |
August - Term 1
(Autumn Term) |
| 1 September to 31 December inclusive |
January - Term 2
(Spring Term) |
| 1 January to 29 February inclusive |
April - Term 3
(Summer Term) |
Apply for 3 and 4 year old place
Applications for 3 and 4 years olds will take place between 6 and 31 March 2024.
You will be asked to provide:
- proof of address
- the child's birth certificate number
Apply for a 3 or 4 year old place
ELC for 2 year olds
Not all 2 year old children eligible for funded ELC. Your 2 year old child may be eligible if you receive one or more of the following:
- income support
- income based job seeker's allowance*
- income based employment and support allowance*
- incapacity benefit or severe disablement allowance
- state pension credit
- child tax credit but NOT working tax credit, with annual household income below £18,725*
- both maximum Child Tax Credit and maximum Working Tax Credit with annual household income below £8,717*
- support under Part 6 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- Universal Credit – take home pay below £726 per month*
*Income thresholds vary annually
Funded ELC may be available if your 2 year old child:
- is subject to a Kinship Care Order
- is subject to a Special Guardianship Order
- is looked after by a local council, for example 'care experienced' (foster care), compulsory supervision order, North Ayrshire Child Protection Register
- has a parent who is 'care experienced'
Your health visitor, or local early learning and childcare establishment, can offer advice and information about eligibility.
Before we can confirm and allocate a place, we must carry out eligibility checks.
If your 2 year old is eligible for a funded place, ELC will start in the term after their 2nd birthday.
Apply for eligible 2 year old place
You will be asked to provide:
- up to date evidence of benefits, or kinship care and so on
- proof of address
- the child’s birth certificate number
Apply for eligible 2 year old place
Contact
For help with applications, please email Early Learning Childcare.