Free nursery and childcare place registration now open

Children who will be three years old on or before 28 February 2027 can get a free nursery or childcare place starting from August this year.

Parents and carers can apply for a free nursery and childcare place now on Renfrewshire Council’s website. The application form can also be downloaded from the Council website.

All three and four-year-olds are entitled to up to 1,140 hours of free early learning and childcare at any council-run nursery and at any funded private nursery or childminder approved by Renfrewshire Council. Parents and carers have the option of term-time (school year) placements or spreading hours across the whole year. People can find Council-run nurseries and find funded private nurseries and funded childminders on the Council website.

Applications should be submitted by 31 January 2026, with parents and carers getting confirmation of places in May 2026. Places will start from August 2026 when the new school year starts.

Anyone with a child who will turn two years old soon and is eligible for a free early learning and childcare place should also apply for nursery or childminding. Parents and carers can read the eligibility criteria for funded two-year-old nursery and childcare places on the Council’s website.

After places are confirmed, parents and carers can talk to their nursery or childminder about buying additional hours—also known as wraparound. These additional hours will be dependent on capacity within the nursery or the childminder. Parents and carers can read about wraparound care on the Council’s website.

Education and Children’s Services Convener, Councillor Emma Rodden, said: “Children learn so much by socialising with their peers while at nursery or in 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 early learning and childcare centres and classes here in Renfrewshire and have witnessed first-hand how valuable these positive experiences can be for our children, helping them grow as confident individuals.”

All places with funded providers are subject to completion of the tender award process.