Early years - how to apply FAQ's

Online Applications normally open around 7 January and close on the last day of February – the early years how to apply webpage will be kept updated each year. Any applications received after the closing date are considered late applications.

Visit the early years - how to apply web page.

Yes, if your household meets the criteria set by the Scottish Government.  This is set out below, and further information can be found on the Scottish Government webpage.

Children on the child protection register or looked after children.

Children from households in receipt of specific benefits as detailed below:

• Income Support (IS)
• Job Seekers’ Allowance (income based)
• Any income related element of Employment and Support Allowance
• Incapacity benefit
• Severe Disablement Allowance
• State Pension Credit
• Child Tax Credit (but not Working Tax Credit) where income is less than ▪ £19,995
• Child Tax Credit AND Working Tax Credit – with earnings of £9,552 a year or less
• Support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 
• Universal Credit – with household take-home pay of £796 a month or less. “Take-home pay” is the money your household receives from work after-tax National Insurance and any pension contributions have been taken off. The award letter will show how much take-home pay is. To be entitled, this should be  £796 a month or less.

Alternatively, if the child is:

• Looked after
• Under a kinship care order
• With a parent appointed guardian; or
• Has a care experienced parent. Parent has been in residential care, foster care, kinship care, or has been looked-after at home with a supervision requirement at any stage in their life.

Not all early years centres have spaces for two year olds; please check with the early years centre that you wish your child to attend.

If you do not meet the above criteria for a funded place, you may be able to purchase a place at a local authority early years centre. Places are subject to availability and capacity.

The online application will ask you to upload evidence. This can be by attaching a photo or scan, or by taking a photo at the time of application. The following evidence is required:

• Your child's birth certificate
• Your current Council Tax notice - proof of residency (if resident in East Dunbartonshire)
• A utility bill dated within the last 3 months (if resident in East Dunbartonshire)
• Proof of Guardianship (if applicable)
• ELIGIBLE TWO YEAR OLDS ONLY: Evidence of qualifying criteria.

It is important to try to submit the evidence at the time of application so as not to delay your application. Applications cannot be processed without this evidence. If you are unable to attach the supporting documentation at the time of application, please contact your chosen early years centre within 7 days for instructions on how to submit this - quoting your online application reference number. 

Yes, you can still apply, however your application cannot be processed until you produce the documents required. 

• Child’s birth certificate – You can obtain a replacement/copy from your local Registration Office (there may be a charge for this)
• Council Tax notice – If you cannot provide this and are applying to a local authority early years centre, contact your first choice centre for further advice. If you are applying to a funded provider - please get in touch for further advice.

The Council aim to inform all parents of their child’s allocation at the beginning of May. If your allocation was submitted after the deadline (a late application) you will be informed as soon as possible after. If your application is a cross boundary (reside in one authority and applying to another), confirmation may be around the end of May as funding must be ratified by the Authority in which you reside.

The Scottish Government Statutory Guidance determines cut off points for funding, which is in turn reflected in the East Dunbartonshire Admissions Policy. All late applications will be considered after applications received within the deadline have been allocated.

All places in local authority early years centres are allocated as per the Early Years Admissions Policy. Places within centres can change year-on-year, and some centres are registered with the Care Inspectorate for a higher number of children than other centres. It is therefore important when applying to state your second choice of early years centre. The Council will endeavour to accommodate requests wherever possible, however sometimes this is not possible due to demand for some early years centres.

You can purchase extended hours within local authority early years centres where there is availability. These rates are subject to an annual review. The cost is:

• Two to five year olds: £4.68 per hour
• Under Two year olds: £5.13 per hour
• Lunches for non-funded two year olds and under two year olds are £2.43 per day.

Fees are invoiced monthly in advance and can be paid by various methods:

• Online on our payments page
• At any of our Hubs
• Direct debit
• Standing order
• Voucher payment including tax free scheme

The Depute Head of Centre at your child’s early years centre can provide you with the extended year calendar that sets out all closure dates.

Please liaise directly with your child’s funded provider, who will in turn liaise with the Council.

You need to follow the guidelines of the local authority in which your child attends nursery/childminder (the host authority). You do not need to apply to East Dunbartonshire.

earlyyears@eastdunbarton.gov.uk or call 03001234510 and ask for Shared Services Early Years.

Yes, in order to secure funding for your child’s cross boundary four-year-old place, please reapply using the new three or four year old application form- prior to 28 February.