adult carer with young children
Free places at Early Years establishments

 

What you are entitled to for your pre 5 child

Grants are available for you to access childcare facilities

Childcare for Pre 5 children - What you are entitled to


Free part-time pre-school education places are available for all pre-school year children. From August 1999 free places have also been available for children in the year before their pre-school year.  They are eligible from the beginning of the term following their third birthday.

PRE-SCHOOL QUESTIONS


Do all childcare services offer free pre-school education places?
Centres providing pre-school education places must be registered with Glasgow City Council.

In addition, Glasgow City Council co-ordinate the delivery of places and centres working in partnership with them. This means that certain private and voluntary establishments co-operate with Glasgow City Council in the provision of this service. You can check which services provide free part-time places with the Glasgow Childcare Strategy & Information Unit or you can ask your childcare provider. You may need to look at which services are available in your area and decide which service might best suit your child’s needs.

What does registration and inspection mean for centres providing pre-school education?
All providers of government funded pre-school education for 3 or 4 year olds are currently inspected by The Scottish Commission for the Regulation of Care , and HM Inspectorate of Education (HMIE). The staff follow national guidelines for the education of children aged 3 - 5 years that encourage learning through play, and the service must meet standards laid down by HMIE.  Within Glasgow we also offer pre-school education in Gaelic Services/Units within some nurseries.


What times are available to me?
For children in their immediate pre-school year, you are entitled to five sessions per week. Sessions usually last for around 2½ hours each.  You may be offered sessions in a variety of combinations of mornings and afternoons and the number and pattern of sessions available may vary from provider to provider.

 

You may be able to get a different pattern of sessions to suit your child or your pattern of work. For example you might want two sessions a day for two days and then one session on another day. If you want a different pattern you should discuss this with the provider.

How will the place be paid?
Providers offering free places receive a grant from the Scottish Government facilitated by Glasgow City Council.

 

This grant is available for three terms, each term lasting 11 weeks:

Term 1 - August - December 2007

Term 2 - January - 31st March 2008
Term 3 - April - June 2008

Children eligible for 3 TERMS funding are as follows:

For children in their deferred entry year (5 year olds) born between 1st January 2003 - 28th February 2003, parents will be able to access grant from August 2007.


For pre-school children (4 year olds) born between 1st March 2003 - 29th February 2004.

For ante pre-school children (3 year olds) born between 1st March 2004 - 31st August 2004.


Children eligible for 2 TERMS funding are as follows:
For children in their ante pre-school year (3 year olds) born between 1st September 2004 – 31st December 2004.

Children eligible for 1 TERM  funding are as follows:
For children in their ante pre-school year (3 year olds) born between 1st January 2005 – 28th February 2005.

 

Does this grant cover all costs of my pre-school education place?
The grant covers only the cost of the five, 2½ hour sessions per week, the cost of any additional hours attended must be met by the parent/guardian. The grant does not cover the cost of any snacks or lunches.

Establishments may request that you contribute towards a toy fund. It should be noted that toy fund contributions are totally voluntary and at the discretion of parent/guardian.

 

You must ensure that the provider clearly informs you of any additional charges that you have to pay over and above the grant award. The provider should detail clearly all charges and identify how they are made up. Please ensure that you receive a receipt for any money that you pay to the establishment.

What is the actual cost of the grant awarded?
The grant for five, 2½ hour sessions per week, over the three terms (38 weeks) is £1425.   If your child attends less than the five sessions, the grant awarded to the provider will be reduced accordingly.

Examples are given below:

  • 1 session  12 weeks  =  £90
  • 2 sessions 12 weeks  = £180
  • 3 sessions 12 weeks  = £270
  • 4 sessions 12 weeks  = £360
  • 5 sessions 12 weeks  = £450

Should you wish to use some sessions in a Glasgow City Council nursery in addition to a private provider then you can, provided you do not claim any more than 5 sessions per week.

 

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE GRANT FUNDING WILL BE PAID DIRECTLY TO THE PARTNERSHIP NURSERY

How do I find a pre-school education place for my child?
Early Years and Extended Childcare Services
Wheatley House
25 Cochrane Street
Glasgow G1 1HL
Phone: 0141 287 5223/7065


 

 

Going to Primary School

Children become eligible to start primary school in the August when they will be between 4½ years old and 5½ years old.  At present you should be aware that if you delay your child’s entry to primary school you may be liable to pay the appropriate nursery charges. Please speak to the Head of the Nursery for further information.