Eligible 2-year-olds in Scotland are entitled to up to 1,140 hours of funded early learning and childcare each year. This provision is available in local authority nurseries and in funded provider settings where spaces exist. The funded hours are designed to support children's development and help families access high-quality early learning and childcare.
A number of nurseries and childminders offer Early Learning and Childcare places of up to 1,140 hours to children who are 2 years of age. These are known as Strong Start places and will be offered to eligible children in line with Scottish Government criteria and delivered in line with the arrangements for children aged 3 to 5 years old.
Eligibility criteria
If you receive any of the benefits listed below, your 2-year-old may be eligible for a Strong Start place:
- Income Support (IS)
- Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (IBJSA)
- Any income-related element of Employment and Support Allowance
- You may also be eligible if you are an asylum seeker receiving support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- Universal Credit where the monthly earned income does not exceed £850
- Incapacity Benefit or Severe Disablement Allowance
- State Pension Credit
Please note: Your 2-year-old child may also be eligible from the point they are looked after, under a Kinship Care order, or with a parent appointed guardian. Advice is available from your allocated Social Worker.
Children of care-experienced parents now may also be eligible for a Strong Start place. If this applies to your circumstances, please complete the evidence form (PDF, 125 KB) and submit it with your registration.
The intake periods for Strong Start places align with our places for 3- to 5-year-olds and can be accessed the term following your child's second birthday as follows:
| If your child's second birthday falls between: | Your child can access their Strong Start place from: |
|---|---|
| 1 March and 30 August | August Term |
| 1 September and 31 December | January Term |
| 1 January and last day of February (28 or 29) | April Term |
How to apply for a nursery place
Please visit the registration details page for details on how to apply.
Local Authority Nurseries offering places for 2-year-olds
- Alyth Primary School Nursery Class
- Blair Atholl Primary School Nursery Class
- Breadalbane Academy (Primary) Nursery Class
- Community School of Auchterarder Nursery Class
- Coupar Angus Primary School
- Crieff Primary School Nursery Class
- Errol Primary School Nursery Class
- Goodlyburn Primary School Nursery Class
- Inchture Primary School Nursery Class
- Inch View Primary School Nursery Class
- Kinloch Rannoch Primary School Nursery Class
- Kinross Primary School Nursery Class
- Kirkmichael Primary School Nursery Class
- Letham Primary School Nursery Class
- Methven Primary School Nursery Class
- Milnathort Primary School Nursery Class
- Murthly Primary School Nursery Class
- Newhill Primary School Nursery Class
- Oakbank Primary School Nursery Class
- Pitlochry High School Nursery Class
- Rattray Primary School Nursery Class
- Riverside Primary School
- St Dominic's RC Primary School Nursery Class
- St John's RC Academy Nursery Class
- Stanley Primary School Nursery Class
Funded Providers offering places for 2-year-olds
Funded spaces for 2-year-olds will be available in a number of funded provider settings including childminders and nurseries working in partnership with Perth and Kinross Council.
Should you have any further questions about the care-experienced parent criteria or how to provide evidence, please contact ELC@pkc.gov.uk.
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