A review of Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) was completed in January 2024. The review looked at:
- uptake of ELC entitlement
- the views of parents, carers, and staff
to consider improvements to North Ayrshire’s ELC offering with the goal of supporting more families to access their full entitlement.
Changes will provide greater access to preferred delivery models and attendance patterns to ensure you can access your full entitlement to 1140 hours of free ELC in North Ayrshire.
Changes proposed
From 19 August 2024, North Ayrshire Council will offer the following 3 models:
Model 1 - full year only
A total of 23.75 hours per week for 48 weeks. Choose from:
- five sessions per week, either mornings 8am to 12.45pm, or afternoons 1.15pm to 6pm, or
- five sessions per week over two and a half days:
- Monday - 8am to 5.30pm, Tuesday - 8am to 5.30pm, and Wednesday morning - 8am to 12.45pm, or
- Wednesday afternoon - 1.15 pm to 6pm, Thursday - 8am to 5.30pm and Friday - 8am to 5.30pm
Model 2 - term time full entitlement via North Ayrshire Council
A total of 30 hours per week for 38 weeks. Choose from either:
- four mornings - 8am to 1pm, plus one full day - 8am to 6pm, or
- four afternoons - 1pm to 6pm, and one full day - 8am to 6pm
Model 3 - term time 9am to 3pm only
A total of 30 hours per week for 38 weeks:
- five full days - 9am to 3pm, Monday to Friday
Changes to ELC establishments
As part of the review, we have made sure there are a range of models available at each locality to provide flexibility for families.
Arran
| Establishment | Current model | New model |
|---|
| Brodick PS Early Years Class |
3 |
3 |
| Corrie PS Early Years Class |
3 |
3 |
| Kilmory PS Early Years Class |
3 |
3 |
| Lamlash PS Early Years Class |
1 |
1 |
| Pirnmill PS Early Years Class |
3 |
3 |
| Shiskine PS Early Years Class |
3 |
3 |
Garnock
| Establishment | Current model | New model |
|---|
| Beith PS Early Years Class |
1 |
2 |
| Dalry Early Years Class |
1 |
1 |
| Garnock Community Campus Early Years Class |
1 |
3 |
| Gateside PS Early Years Class |
3 |
3 |
| Moorpark PS Early Years Class |
2 |
3 |
| St. Bridget’s PS Early Years Class |
1 |
2 |
Irvine
| Establishment | Current model | New model |
|---|
| Annick PS Early Years Class |
1 |
2 |
| Castlepark Early Years Class |
1 |
1 |
| Dreghorn PS Early Years Class |
2 |
3 |
| Elderbank PS Early Years Class |
2 |
3 |
| Lawthorn PS Early Years Class |
2 |
3 |
| Loudoun Montgomery PS Early Years Class |
1 |
3 |
| Marress House Early Years Centre |
1 |
1 |
| Springside PS Early Years Class |
1 |
3 |
| St. John Ogilvie PS Early Years Class |
1 |
2 |
| St. Mark’s PS Early Years Class |
2 |
3 |
| Woodland PS Early Years Class |
1 |
2 |
Kilwinning
| Establishment | Current model | New model |
|---|
| Abbey PS Early Years Class |
1 |
2 |
| Blacklands PS Early Years Class |
2 |
3 |
| Corsehill PS Early Years Class |
2 |
1 |
| Pennyburn PS Early Years Class |
1 |
2 |
| St. Luke's PS Early Years Class |
1 |
1 |
North Coast
| Establishment | Current model | New model |
|---|
| Cumbrae PS Early Years Class |
3 |
3 |
| Fairlie PS Early Years Class |
1 |
2 |
| Largs Early Years Centre |
1 |
1 |
| Skelmorlie PS Early Years Class |
3 |
3 |
Three Towns
| Establishment | Current model | New model |
|---|
| Ardeer PS Early Years Class |
1 |
3 |
| Caledonia PS Early Years Class |
1 |
2 |
| Glencairn PS Early Years Class |
1 |
1 |
| Hayocks PS Early Years Class |
1 |
2 |
| Mayfield PS Early Years Class |
2 |
3 |
| Springvale Early Years Centre |
1 |
1 |
| St. John's PS Early Years Class |
2 |
3 |
| St. Peter's PS Early Years Class |
1 |
3 |
| Stanley PS Early Years Class |
1 |
2 |
| West Kilbride PS Early Years Class |
2 |
3 |
| Winton PS Early Years Class |
2 |
2 |
There are no plans to close any North Ayrshire Council provisions.
Changes for parents, or carers
If you are a parent, or carer, of a child who is returning to an early years provision in August 2024, the Head of the establishment will contact you to guide you through any changes.
Families will be given the opportunity to express an interest in available patterns in their existing establishments. If demand for a pattern exceeds availability, we will use our registration criteria and random balloting to allocate patterns in an equitable way.
If your preferred pattern is no longer available at your current establishment, your head of establishment will discuss a new pattern which will be 'held' for you. This will be held while you are provided with the opportunity to consider a move to another establishment to access a different attendance pattern from 19 August.
Applying to move to establishment
We can’t guarantee you will receive your preferred pattern if you apply to move establishment. If there are spaces and patterns available once families currently attending an establishment have selected their new patterns, you will be given the opportunity to apply for these. You can apply for available patterns in up to 3 establishments.
If demand for a pattern exceeds availability, we will use our registration criteria and random balloting to allocate patterns in an equitable way to families who have requested a move.
If you are offered a different pattern in another establishment, you can choose either your ‘held’ pattern in your current establishment or this alternative pattern from 19 August.
Key dates 2024
- 6 March: all parents will be made aware of changes to ELC provision in their current establishment
- 6 to 20 March: Heads of establishment will gather your preferred patterns in your current establishment (from 19 August 2024 onwards).
- 25 March to 7 April: parents/carers wishing to move to another pattern in a different ELC establishment will have the opportunity to request a move
Blended ELC
North Ayrshire Council adopts Scottish Government’s principles that ELC funding should follow the child. If you wish to blend your ELC across North Ayrshire Council and a funded provider you have the opportunity to do this and should discuss this further with staff in your current ELC establishment.
A blended model of ELC offers a combination of ELC with a participating registered childminder and either an early childhood centre or a funded ELC provider.
When applying for a blended model with a childminder, a separate application does not need to be submitted to the childminder. Parents should negotiate the split of the placement with the participating childminder and the early childhood centre or funded ELC provider.
Staff changes
Changes to models will impact our workforce requirements and the contracts of many of our ELC staff. Staff are being provided with opportunities to meet their needs. This might result in a change of work location. While we seek to ensure continuity where possible, we appreciate your compassion and understanding during this challenging time for staff.
ELC registration
ELC registration takes place between 6 and 31 of March 2024. Registration should only be completed by parents and carers of eligible children who do not currently access ELC in North Ayrshire.