Early years - how to apply

East Dunbartonshire Council has recently implemented a change to bring the start date for funded sessions in East Dunbartonshire Council in line with Scottish Government funding, moving from the day after the child’s third birthday to the term after their third birthday for children born between 1 March and 31 July.

The East Dunbartonshire Council early years admissions policy provides information on the Council’s process for allocation of early years places.

A list of frequently asked questions is available.

Read our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

APPLICATIONS FOR 2025/26 ARE NOW CLOSED. YOU CAN STILL SUBMIT A LATE APPLICATION WHICH WILL BE CONSIDERED AFTER ALL APPLICATIONS RECEIVED ON TIME.

This form is for all children turning three in the current and up-and-coming academic year and covers applications for sessions at local authority early years centres and funding for sessions at funded provider early years centres and childminders. The form will ask you to upload your child’s birth certificate, your Council Tax notice and a proof of your home address – so it will be good to have this to hand prior to starting the application.

You should complete this form in the following circumstances:

• Your child has their third birthday between 1 August and the 28 February. This application will cover a two-year period, for your child’s three and four year old place, if you live within East Dunbartonshire and are applying to an early years centre in East Dunbartonshire
• If your child’s third birthday is between 1 March and 31 July you can apply for a non-funded place which can begin from the day after their third birthday until 31 July. Spaces are not guaranteed and dependent on capacity
• Your child is returning for their four-year-old place, and you wish to apply for a different early years centre
• You reside in another local authority, and you wish to apply for an early years centre or childminder within East Dunbartonshire. You must re-apply for funding each year.

The form will ask you which academic year you are applying for. Please select ‘next academic year (starting August)’ from the dropdown menu. Each academic year runs from 1 August to 31 July.

You can still apply for the current academic year 2024/2025.

Please note: this will be classed as a late application with no guarantee of place at chosen centre.

The form will ask you which academic year you are applying for. Please select ‘current academic year (late application)’ from the dropdown menu.

Two year olds can start receiving funding early under a few different circumstances, including if they are in the care of the local authority or if their household is already receiving certain benefits - see the Government website for information on funded early learning and childcare, also see the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). Parent Club sets out more information on this.

Some local authority early years centres have two-year-old spaces available for purchase. This can fluctuate each year depending on demand for funded places. 

Some local authority early years centres have spaces to provide childcare for babies aged six weeks to two years old.

These spaces are ring-fenced for East Dunbartonshire Council residents.

Supported places: Spaces in the baby rooms are prioritised to support children and families experiencing challenging circumstances and families in crisis. If you think this applies to you, you can click the link above to submit an application. Your Health Visitor (or other professional supporting your family) must submit a Request for Assistance to support this application.

Paying places: Paying spaces may become available from time to time. The Depute Head of Centre can provide you with further information on availability of spaces.

This form can be used in the following circumstances:

• Your child is returning to the same local authority early years centre for their four year old place, but you wish to request a new pattern of attendance.  This request will be considered and your early years centre will inform you if this change can be accommodated
• Your child is attending a local authority centre and you wish to request a change of pattern of attendance.  In line with the Admissions Policy, there is a limit to one change request per term.  This request will be considered and your early years centre will inform you if this change can be accommodated
• You wish to tell us about a change of circumstances.  It is important to inform your child’s early years centre if there are any changes in personal information, for example, a change of home address or surname.  You can upload a document if you wish – e.g. a new Council Tax notice
• You wish to submit a document for evidence:  e.g. your child’s birth certificate or evidence of receipt of a benefit for a two year old funded place.

If you reside within East Dunbartonshire and wish your child to attend early years provision out with East Dunbartonshire, the attached Cross-Boundary Leaflet will provide more information. Please get in touch if you have any other questions on cross-boundary.

If you have applied for a paying place/extended hours in a local authority early years centre, you will be issued with a contract and a separate fees letter that sets out how you will be invoiced. Once you agree to both of these documents, the extended hours place can begin.

Please complete the acceptance form below.

For information on deferred entry to primary school and how to apply, visit the deferred entry to primary school page.