Early learning, childcare enrolment

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.

Details of early years establishments:

• North Ayrshire Council early years establishments
• early years funded providers
• lists of early years funded childminders - mainland and funded childminders - Arran

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.

Contact us using the Early Learning and Childcare email at the bottom of this page for help with applications.

Become a funded provider

North Ayrshire-based providers of early learning and childcare services (including private, voluntary, third sector settings and childminders) can apply to become a funded provider.

Providers must meet the criteria set out in the Scottish Government National Standard for Early Learning and Childcare Providers and be willing to enter into a contract with North Ayrshire Council.

Providers wishing to apply will be required to register on Public Contracts Scotland to complete an application process.

For queries about the funded provider application process, email procurement@north-ayrshire.gov.uk (this email should only be contacted for enquiries related to becoming a funded provider - all other ELC enquiries should go to the email at the bottom of the page).

If successful, applicants will be included on North Ayrshire Council's Early Learning and Childcare Flexible Framework Agreement until its expiry on the 31 July 2030.

Funded providers contracted to the council will ensure high quality early learning and childcare provision. If, for any reason, including not meeting set standards or if a funded provider cannot provide placements, they must fully cooperate with the council. This will be to ensure children’s requirements continue to be met, and parents and carers are fully informed in relation to securing alternative arrangements for delivery of funded entitlement.

The council will meet regularly throughout the contracted period with funded providers and will provide support, advice and training opportunities.