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Nursery Places for 3 and 4-year-olds

We offer Early Learning and Childcare to all 3 and 4-year-olds from the first intake after their qualifying birthday until they're due to start school. This can be up to 1140 hours in most settings.

We're offering different session times in these settings for 3 and 4-year-olds so you'll have more choice.

Families may be able to share their 1140 funded hours between different nursery settings.

Session 2025/26

Applications for nursery sessions for 2025/26 will go live on 6th January 2025. To be included in the initial panel process, your application should have been submitted by 31st January 2025. Any applications received from 1st February 2025 will be considered late and processed from May 2025.

  • Starting in August 2025: Your child must be three before 31 August 2025
  • Starting in January 2026: Your child must be three before 31 December 2025
  • Starting in April 2026: Your child must be three before the last day of February 2026

You'll be contacted by the end of March 2025 to advise you of where your child has been offered a place.

Session 2024/25

Applications for nursery sessions for 2024/25 are still open if you would like to apply for a nursery place between January 2025 & July 2025.

  • Starting in January 2025: Your child must be three before 31 December 2024
  • Starting in April 2025: Your child must be three before the last day of February 2025

What are my options?

There are several different ways for families to access their entitlement. These include:

  • In a private Early Learning Childcare setting that's in partnership with Fife Council
  • At a playgroup that's in partnership with Fife Council
  • With a childminder who's in partnership with Fife Council
  • Term time in a Fife Council Early Learning Childcare setting
  • Across the whole year in a Fife Council Early Learning Childcare setting

What session types are available in a Fife Council setting?

  • 6hrs Mon - Fri (Term Time)
  • 4hrs 40 mins am Mon - Fri (49 weeks)
  • 4hrs 40 mins pm Mon - Fri (49 weeks)
  • 10hrs Mon and Tues, Wed am (46 weeks)
  • Wed pm, 10hrs Thurs and Fri (46 weeks)

How do I apply for a Fife Council Early Learning and Childcare (Nursery) place?

Please complete an online application, which can be accessed at the top of this page. This is an easy process that can be done from your smartphone, iPad or laptop. You'll be asked to create a mygov.scot 'myaccount' if you don't already have one. You'll need this account right the way through your child's education.

Here's a 'how to' video, to explain the process:

Before applying, you should check that your nursery setting offers your session(s) of choice. You can find a list of nurseries and the sessions offered at the bottom of this page.

If you are unable to complete your application online, you can request a paper application from any council nursery. Once it's completed, this should be handed into your first choice nursery, along with the evidence requested. You'll need to make an appointment with the school directly to hand this in.

If you have any difficulties applying online, please get in touch with your local nursery.

If your child has additional support needs, please contact the headteacher of your first choice nursery.

Playgroups

A range of playgroups in partnership with Fife Council are available in different areas across Fife. Please check www.fife.gov.uk/earlyyears for details.

Childminders

We have a number of childminders who are in partnership with Fife Council to deliver funded ELC hours. To find out more please check www.fife.gov.uk/earlyyears for details.

South West Fife

North East Fife

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