Comhairle nan Eilean Siar Logo (with tagline Ag Obair Còmhla Airson nan Eilean)
Lews Castle

ELC Enrolment

ELC enrolment for the new academic session is open for children and young people due to enter nursery in the 2024-25 academic year.

Parents wishing to enrol in ELC/nursery should contact the setting directly and they will inform you of the arrangements for enrolling.

To complete enrolment, you will be required to present your child’s birth certificate to confirm:

  • Child’s full name as it appears on the certificate.
  • Date of Birth.
  • Names of all parents recorded on the certificate.

Nurseries will be happy to discuss enrolment and answer any questions parents have prior to completion of the enrolment process.

Eligibility for ELC/Nursery Enrolment 2024-25

Enrolment For the 2024-25 session, free nursery places are available for children who:

  • are 4 years of age and are not currently registered with a nursery
  • will be 3 years of age between 1 March 2024 and 28 February 2025
  • will be 2 years of age between 1 March 2024 and 28 February 2025 and whose parent(s)/carer(s) are in receipt of certain qualifying benefits.  (Further information on eligibility information is available on the MyGov.Scot site.

Eligibility for early learning and childcare throughout the year is as follows:

  • From the Autumn Term (Aug – Dec) – children born between 1 March and 31 August
  • From the Spring Term (Jan – March) – children born between 1 September and 31 December
  • From the Summer Term (April – June) – children born between 1 January and 28 February

All eligible children will have the choice of a term-time place of up to 30 funded hours per week (for 38 weeks of the year) or a full-year place of up to 22.5 funded hours per week (for 50 weeks of the year) dependant on availability.

Gaelic First Policy

In all early learning, nursery and school enrolment, the Comhairle operates a Gaelic First Policy. This means that the default language stream for enrolment will be Gaelic Medium unless the choice is made during the enrolment process to opt for English Medium.

Parents are invited to make contact with their chosen nursery from Monday 26th February and they will advise about completion of the enrolment process.

ELC Enrolment Enquiries

Email: earlyyearsenquiries@cne-siar.gov.uk