Register for a local authority nursery place for school year

The Scottish Government announced that from 2020 all 3- to 5-year-olds and eligible 2-year-olds will be entitled to 1,140 hours of funded childcare.

3- to 5-year-old nursery registration

School year 2026 to 2027 (August 2026 to July 2027)

Initial applications are open from 5 January 2026 to 28 February 2026. All new applications received within this period will be included in the initial allocation of places.

If your child currently attends a local authority nursery place and you wish to keep this, please complete the form to confirm the pattern of attendance.

This form should also be used if you are applying for an additional year of Early Learning and Childcare to defer entry to primary school. View more information regarding eligibility in our additional year guidance document (PDF, 367 KB).

Applications remain open after the 28 February, and you can continue to apply through to the end of 2026 to 2027.

Purchasing non-funded Early Learning and Childcare sessions for school year

Perth and Kinross Council provide opportunities, where available, to purchase non-funded Early Learning and Childcare sessions. 

Strong Start Two nursery registration

School year 2026 to 2027 (August 2026 to July 2027)

Initial applications are open from 5 January 2026 to 28 February 2026. All new applications received within this period will be included in the initial allocation of places.

Please check our Funded early learning and childcare for 2-year-olds (Strong Starts) page for eligibility information.

If your child currently attends a local authority nursery place and you wish to keep this, please complete the form to confirm the pattern of attendance.

Applications timeline

New applications for session 2026 to 2027 can be submitted for consideration at any time up until 23 March 2027. All applications fall into defined processing periods as outlined below. 

Online ELC registration