My child is under 5

Most families with children under the age of five will use a number of different types of childcare to meet their needs and will access various types of care as their child grows.

Full details of childcare services in your local area are available on our Find my nearest childcare providers page.  The Care Inspectorate provides information on gradings and inspection reports for registered services.

Funded Early Learning and Childcare (ELC)

From August 2020, three and four year olds, and eligible two year olds are entitled to 1140 hours of funded early learning and childcare per year, view the Funded early learning and childcare for 2 year olds (Strong Starts) and Funded early learning and childcare for 3-5 year olds - 2023-2024 pages for further information. There are 49 local authority early learning and childcare settings, and more than 30 private and voluntary sector childcare services and childminders working in partnership with the local authority to offer funded ELC places covering the Perth and Kinross area.

Childminders

A childminder looks after children in the childminder's own home and can often provide very flexible care.  There are currently 102 registered childminders in Perth & Kinross most of whom look after children from a few months old up to primary school age.  Full details of childminders, including those who offer Funded ELC places in your local area are available on our Find my nearest childcare providers page.

If you might be interested in becoming a childminder yourself, see details of Childminding as a career option courses  run by the council's Childcare Strategy Team.

Nurseries

Nurseries usually provide care for young children across the age range birth to five years. There are different types of nurseries with different ways of operating so it is essential that parents and carers look for one that best suits the needs of both child and family. There are 38 private and voluntary sector nurseries across the Perth & Kinross area.  Full details of nurseries, including those who offer Funded ELC places in your local area are available on our Find my nearest childcare providers page.

• Funded early learning and childcare for 2 year olds (Strong Starts)
• Funded early learning and childcare for 3-5 year olds - 2023-2024
• Register for a local authority nursery place for school year
• Nursery locality and attendance patterns

Wraparound Care 

Wraparound Care services offer extended care for three and four year olds after nursery class sessions and in school holidays. There are four Wraparound Care services based at schools in Crieff, Luncarty, Perth and Pitlochry, see Find my nearest childcare providers for further details.

Playgroups 

Playgroups provide sessions of play and learning for children aged between two and five. Playgroups are set up and run by parents or voluntary groups. Although playgroups are not usually geared to the schedules of working parents some families combine a childminder with a playgroup to give their child a range of experiences.  Full details of playgroups in your local area are available on our Find my nearest childcare providers page. 

Parent & Toddler Groups 

Parent and Toddler groups provide social opportunities for babies, toddlers, parents and carers to meet in an informal atmosphere.  Parents and carers remain with and are responsible for children throughout the session, so groups are not regulated by the Care Inspectorate.  Full details of parent and toddler groups in your local area are available on our Find my nearest childcare providers page.

If you attend or are involved in running a Parent & Toddler group we would be grateful if you could complete this updated information/reopening service form for the Information Service to allow us to add to the Find my nearest childcare providers search tool, and make it available to other families who might be interested in attending.