Early Learning & Childcare (nursery & childminder) places 3year & 4year Olds

Thank you for using the link on the on-line submission confirmation or the auto-reply message from pupilplacement@westlothian.gov.uk inbox, to access further information on Early Learning & Childcare (nursery & childminder) places for 3 and 4 year olds. This page is updated as we pass each milestone in the annual process:

Please expand this section for a definition of terms used on this page?

'Nursery' - is the term that most people know, however 'Early Learning & Childcare (nursery & childminder)' is the term we use because it includes council nurseries, private nurseries and childminders and parents can choose to be considered for any of these for their child's funded placement. 'Early Learning & Childcare (nursery & childminder)' may also be shortened to 'ELC'.

'Ante Pre-school year' - the year a child first becomes eligible for 'Early Learning & Childcare (nursery & childminder)' as a 3 year old.

'Pre-school year' - the 2nd year that a child is eligible for 'Early Learning & Childcare (nursery & childminder)' as a 3 or 4 year old.

When can I apply for a place for my child as a 3 or 4 year old?

Applications are accepted from a child's 2nd birthday.

How do I apply for a place for my child as a 3 or 4 year old?

You can apply for 'Early Learning & Childcare (nursery & childminder) for 3 year & 4 year olds' using the Admit Application Portal (opens new window).

Can my child start from their 3rd birthday?

The date your child becomes eligible to start attending depends on their date of birth. If they turn 3 on or between the :

01 March to 31 August - they are eligible to start from the autumn term (August) immediately following that birthday
01 September to 31 December - our policy allows this group of children to start from their 3rd birthday.
1st January and the last day of February, they are eligible to start from the summer term (April) immediately following that birthday

Please expand for information specific to places in session 2025/2026 (10 August 2025 to 07 August 2026

Is my child eligible for a place as a 3 or 4 year old in 2025/2026?

If your child's date of birth is between 01 March 2021 and the 28 February 2022, then your child is already eligible and 2025/2026 will be their 'Pre-school year'.

For those children whom 2025/2026 is their 'Ante Pre-school year', the information below details when they become eligible for nursery as a 3 year old:

01 March 2022 to 31 August 2022 ‐ they are eligible to start from the start of the Autumn term 11 August 2025.
01 September 2022 to 31 December 2022 ‐ they are eligible to start from the start of the Spring term 05 January 2026.
01 January 2023 and the 28 February 2023 -they are eligible to start from the start of the Summer term 14 April 2026

Please expand for information specific to places in session 2025/2026 (10 August 2025 to 07 August 2026)

Applications are accepted from a child's 2nd birthday.

Closing dates for places in 2025/2026 -

15 March 2025 - for 'Pre-school year' and the Autumn and Spring Term intakes for 'Ante Pre-school year' applications.

As this date has passed any new applications/ change requests submitted will be considered as received. Those who wish to make a new application/change request, please use our Admit Application Portal (opens new window). We aim to answer as soon as possible but at most within 4 weeks.

15 November 2025 - for the Summer Term intake for 'Ante Pre-school year' applications.

Applications for this group of children received after the 15 November 2025 will be considered, but only after applications received by this closing date have been considered and the decisions sent out. This means late applications/change requests will be considered in March 2026.

When do I find out the decision on my request for places in 2025/2026?

Decision letters for places in 2025/2026 will be issued by-

End of May/beginning of June 2025 - for 'Pre-school year' and the Autumn and Spring Term intakes for 'Ante Pre-school year' applications.

As this date has passed decision letters have already been issued. Those who want to make a new application or make a request to change their child's placement, please use our Admit Application Portal (opens new window). We aim to answer as soon as possible but at most within 4 weeks.

End of February 2026 - for the Summer Term intake for 'Ante Pre-school year' applications.

Decision letters for applications/change requests received after the 15 November 2025 will be issued by the end of March/beginning of April 2026.

Please expand for information specific to places in session 2026/2027 (10 August 2026 to August 2027)

Is my child eligible for a place as a 3 or 4 year old in 2026/2027?

If your child's date of birth is between 01 March 2022 and the 28 February 2023, then your child is already eligible and 2026/2027 will be their 'Pre-school year'.

For those children whom 2026/2027 is their 'Ante Pre-school year', the information below details when they become eligible for nursery as a 3 year old:

01 March 2023 to 31 August 2023 ‐ they are eligible to start from the start of the Autumn term 10 August 2026.
01 September 2023 to 31 December 2023 ‐ they are eligible to start from the start of the Spring term 05 January 2027.
01 January 2024 to 28 February 2024 -they are eligible for to start from the start of the Summer term after the Easter holidays 2027.

What date do I have to have my application form in by for a place in 2026/2027?

Applications are accepted from a child's 2nd birthday.

Closing dates for places in 2026/2027 -

15 March 2026 - for 'Pre-school year' and the Autumn and Spring Term intakes for 'Ante Pre-school year' applications.

Applications for this group of children received after the 15 March 2026 will be considered, but only after applications received by this closing date have been considered and the decisions sent out. This means late applications/change requests will be considered in July 2026.

15 November 2026 - for the Summer Term intake for 'Ante Pre-school year' applications.

Applications for this group of children received after the 15 November 2026 will be considered, but only after applications received by this closing date have been considered and the decisions sent out. This means late applications/change requests will be considered in March 2027.

When do I find out the decision on my request for places in 2026/2027?

Decision letters for places in 2026/2027 will be issued by-

End of June 2026 - for 'Pre-school year' and the Autumn and Spring Term intakes for 'Ante Pre-school year' applications received by this closing date.

Decision letters for applications/change requests received after the 15 March 2026 will be issued by the end of July/beginning of August.

End of February 2027 - for the Summer Term intake for 'Ante Pre-school year' applications.

Decision letters for applications/change requests received after the 15 November 2026 will be issued by the end of March/beginning of April.

If we cannot grant your child a place at their 1st choice nursery or attendance pattern type, then we add your child onto this waiting list. Children can only be on one waiting list, and if a request is received for another choice, then we would treat this as your new first choice and remove you child from the waiting list. If you want your child to stay on the waiting list for your first choice whilst requesting another placement in the meantime please let us know this when you make your new request.

2 Full Day attendance - a full place means a child is allocated 2 full days between Monday to Thursday and a short session. We may be able to offer a 2 full day place but not the specific combination of days requested - if this happens your child will be on the waiting list for your preferred combination of days.

We have a central team who deal with all application for Early Learning & Childcare. Staff at nurseries do not have all the information about the availability of nursery places. All enquiries regarding availability should be directed to pupilplacement@westlothian.gov.uk .

What period does a waiting list cover?

Nursery waiting lists are only valid for one year, a nursery year runs from mid-August to Mid-August (38 week establishments run Mid-August to end of June). Often once a child has enrolled in a nursery, parents don't want to move them the next year so we don't assume that everyone still wants their child to be considered for their first choice nursery for the next nursery year.

We ask parents to confirm their choices for the next nursery year every February. If we don't hear back we will assume that you want your child to continue in the place they have been granted in the current year. Our letter tells parents how to change their choices for the next nursery year, if they wish to do so.

How do I find out which position my child is on the waiting list?

We use our placing guidelines to decide the order of priority on the waiting list, not the length of time on the waiting list. Positions can change as new applications are received or parents change their choices. To grant a place to a child on the waiting list, a child who already has a place would have to leave so sometimes we can't grant any places to children on the waiting list. If a place becomes available and the placing guidelines mean your child is the first on the list at that time, we will contact you to confirm your choice and to offer your child the place.

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Early Learning & Childcare (nursery & childminder) places 3year & 4year Olds