Our provision and hours
We offer a purpose-built nursery environment for children aged 2 to 5 years old, operating from 8:00am to 6:00pm throughout the full year.
Your child will receive funded nursery hours the term after their third birthday. All children receive the full number of hours they are entitled to in all nurseries – Council or private ones – open all year or term time only. For the first year the number of funded hours depends on your child’s birthday.
Some children may be eligible for a funded place from age 2 if the family receives certain benefits or support. [Check eligibility here].
Eligibility: When does the funding start?
When you first apply, the start date and funded hours entitlement depend on your child’s birthday.
| Date of birth falls between | Funding starts in | Entitlement | Decision letter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Born Mar 1 – Aug 31 | August (Autumn Term) | 1140 hours | First week in April |
| Born Sept 1 – Dec 31 | January (Spring Term) | 642 hours | First week in October |
| Born Jan 1 – Feb 29 | April (Summer Term) | 300 hours | First week in February |
Flexible Delivery Models
To support our families, we offer Full-Year and Term-Time models to give you the best fit for your family life.
| Term Time | Full Year (AM) | Full Year (PM) | Two Full Days |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 hours per week during school terms only. | 8:00am – 12:30pm (approx. 22.5 hours/week) across 50 weeks. | 1:30pm – 6:00pm (approx. 22.5 hours/week) across 50 weeks. | 8:00am – 6:00pm Two 10-hour days, plus a “Flexi Friday” morning. |
| ✓ Families with older siblings in school or those who have school holidays off. | ✓ Parents who work part-time mornings year-round. | ✓ Parents who work part-time afternoons year-round. | ✓ Families looking to condense their hours into fewer days. |
Need more time? If your childcare needs exceed the funded hours, you might be able to purchase “Additional Hours” at the current Edinburgh Council rate. Please contact the ELC office for availability.
You can share your 1140 hours with another provider if both have space. To apply at a partner-provider nursery or a childminder, please contact them directly.
Admissions Process
Complete the Application Form
You can download the ELC Application Form below or collect a paper copy from the Victoria ELC Office.
[Download Application Form – PDF]
Prepare Your Documents
- Proof of Birth: Your child’s Birth Certificate or Passport.
- Proof of Address: A Council Tax letter or a recent utility bill dated within the past three months.
For the application to be accepted, you must choose three local authority settings.
For more information, please visit the Edinburgh council website.
Submit your application
Please call our office and agree on when you can drop off your documents at the nursery to apply.
While we accept applications year-round, the main intake happens in August. To be considered in the first round of placements for the new school year, please submit your application by the last Friday in February.
After you have applied
If your application is successful we will provide a letter indicating the proposed start date and delivery model.
You will need to formally accept this offer by the date indicated in your offer letter. If you do not, the place being offered could be withdrawn and offered to another child.
If your request is not granted, your child will be placed on a waiting list. We prioritise waiting lists based on the date we received your request. In that case, you will need to contact other schools to find an available position.updated on any allergies.