Apply for childcare
PARENTS and carers with a child turning three on or before February 28 are being encouraged to apply for a nursery or childcare place.
Applications can be made online or by downloading a form at Renfrewshire Council’s website.
All three and four-yearolds are entitled to up to 1,140 hours of free childcare at any council nursery or funded private nurseries and childminders approved by the local authority.
Parents and carers have the option of term-time placements or spreading the hours across the whole year.
Applications should be submitted by the end of January, with parents and carers getting confirmation of their places in May. Places will start in August. Anyone with a child who will turn two soon and is eligible for a free early learning and childcare place should also apply for nursery or childminding.
Eligibility criteria can be seen on the council’s website.
After places are confirmed, parents and carers can also talk to their nursery or childminder about buying additional hours – also known as wraparound. These will be dependent on capacity.
Councillor Emma Rodden, education and children’s services convener, said: “Children learn so much by socialising with their peers while at nursery or childcare.
“Early learning and childcare supports children to develop socially, emotionally, physically and cognitively and helps them have the best start in life.
“Staff help children lead their own learning based on what interests them, which develops their confidence and self-esteem.
“I have visited many of the nurseries and early learning and childcare centres and classes here in Renfrewshire recently and have witnessed first-hand how valuable these positive experiences can be for our children, helping them grow as confident individuals.”
Visit www.renfrewshire.gov. uk/apply-nursery for more information or to apply.