East Ayrshire nurseries are to begin accepting registrations from today, the council has confirmed.

Places can be booked for pre-schoolers from now until Friday, March 12.

How to apply...

Applications are now online: Apply for an early learning and childcare place.

  • You will be required to attach a copy of your child's birth certificate and proof of address to the online application at the time of registration.
  • Should you require a copy of your child’s birth certificate for registration, this can be obtained at Certificates.scot
  • It is important that you make application by Friday, March 12, 2021 as the process to allocate places for the forthcoming academic year begins on March 15.
  • You should also identify your second choice of centre and preferred pattern of attendance on the application form as there may be occasions when you cannot access a place in your first choice of centre. Applications which do not indicate a second choice may not be considered.
  • If you wish to apply for a split session place you will need to make application for each centre.
  • Applications received after Friday, March 12, 2021 will be allocated in a second phase before the start of the new term in August 2021.
  • When completing the application, parents and carers should inform the centre head/manager of any issues which may affect their child, for example, toileting, any special dietary requirements or medical issues. This is to enable appropriate planning to take place and will not affect their child’s access to a place.

The council's Guide to Early Learning and Childcare sets out the way in which early learning and childcare places are allocated.

Participating nurseries...

There are 36 early childhood centres (ECCs) in East Ayrshire – 7 standalone ECCs, and 29 based in primary schools.

Head to page 15 of the Guide to Early Learning and Childcare to see a full list of the participating nurseries.

All places are allocated in line with the priorities outlined in the Guide to Early Learning and Childcare, for example, first priority is given to children who meet the criteria set out in Priority 1, then Priority 2 and so on.

The council say that "Every effort will be made to meet your first choice of centre and preferred pattern of attendance however, this will be dependent on the number of places available and the priority given to applications."

  • Parents and carers can register here.
  • More info is available here.