No, there is no save functionality. The form should take 20mins to complete.
Frequently Asked Questions: Apply for a nursery school place 2024/25
Information on how to complete the form can be found in short help videos and also in the Aberdeen City Council: Early Learning and Childcare Guide: 1140 Hours 2024-25.
Both the videos and the guide are available on our website.
If you cannot find the information you require, you can also email the Early Years Admissions team: EYAdmissions@aberdeencity.gov.uk
If you are contacting Early Years Admissions team specifically about your child's nursery application, please include your child's full name and date of birth.
Yes, if you click apply for a nursery place you will be prompted to create an online account. Alternatively, you can register for a secure online Aberdeen City Council account.
Creating an online account will help you quickly fill out your nursery application as it will automatically pre-populate the contact fields. The online secure account also provides a single sign-in for you to access a range of online Council services and allows you to view and manage the requests you have made. For more information please see our help videos.
No, children who are currently attending, or who have a place confirmed for April 2024, do not need to reapply. The current ELC setting will contact parents to discuss the options available.
If you wish your child to move setting for 2024/25 you do need to make a new application. Please note that a child is only a Continuer in the same school.
The online application will list all the local authority options available to you. You can select up to 3 choices and list them in order of preference. You can also find a list of all the options available to you in the Aberdeen City Council Early Learning and Childcare Guide: 1140 Hours 2024-2025.
You do not have to use all of your 1140 hour entitlement. It is optional if parents / carers wish to use their full 1140 hours. Some settings will be able to give you less than 1140 hours. For example, some settings are delivering 600 hours of Early Learning and Childcare. If you are applying for an 8am-6pm x 46 weeks model, you can also agree with the setting an earlier collection time if that works best for the needs of your family.
No, you do not have to pay. Children who are in nursery for four hours or more will receive a funded meal. The meal could be either a lunch, a substantial snack, or a light tea.
If you have submitted your form and realise you have made a mistake, please contact the Early Years Admissions team, by email EYAdmissions@aberdeencity.gov.uk. Please indicate your child's full name and date of birth.
The deadline for applications is 14 February 2024. The application system will close on 15 February and will re-open on 1 April.
Yes, you can still apply online for an Early Learning and Childcare place for your 3 and 4 year old child at a local authority setting. However, the online application system will be closed from 15 February and will re-open on 3 April. All applications made when the application system reopens are classed as late. This means you have less chance of being allocated your first choice of setting and you will not know the outcome of the application until June 2024.
We have two outdoor nurseries at Duthie Park and Hazlehead Park. Both have an outdoor focus in their education and provision, but each offer unique and varied experiences for children, families, staff, and wider communities.
Further information is available on our website with links to short videos providing insights into the world of an outdoor nursery.
For more information please email: outdoornurseries@aberdeencity.gov.uk
The criteria for Early Learning and Childcare Admissions can be found in the Early Learning and Childcare Admissions Policy.
You can find more information about Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) providers in partnership with Aberdeen City Council to deliver up to 1140 hours by contacting the Family Information Service. You can email: fis@aberdeencity.gov.uk
Information can also be found in the Aberdeen City Council Early Learning and Childcare Guide: 1140 Hours 2024-2025:
You can split your funded hours between two different settings (including a childminder). This is referred to as a blended model. If you are applying for a local authority nursery place, you can blend your funded hours between:
- a school nursery/childminder; or
- a school nursery/private nursery.
If you wish to use this option, please indicate on your online application if you are wishing to blend your funded hours. Please also make sure you check with your preferred provider (e.g. childminder or private nursery) to make sure they can accommodate you.
If you do not have a copy of your child's birth certificate you can submit confirmation from a medical professional by scanning or taking a photograph of the document and uploading it onto the online application form. Alternatively, if available you can use your child's passport and scan or take a photograph of the document and upload it onto the online form. To process your application the Early Years team need to confirm your child's eligibility for Early Learning and Childcare. If you need further assistance, please contact: EYAdmissions@aberdeencity.gov.uk
When applying online for a place in a local authority school nursery you will need to provide us with evidence of your child's date of birth and evidence of where you live. This is to verify your child's eligibility for an Early Learning and Childcare place.
Once you have completed and submitted the online application form you will receive a confirmation email to inform you that your application has been received and will be processed. If you do not receive the confirmation email in your inbox, please check your junk or spam folders. Applications received between the 30 January 2024 and 14 February 2024 will be advised from the 13 May 2024 of their outcome by email. Parents will then be asked to confirm whether they accept the ELC offer for their child.
Children whose fifth birthday falls between 19 August 2024 and the end of February 2025, will be automatically entitled to an additional year of funded ELC. No application for deferral will be necessary, however, we will gather data to share with the Scottish Government.
Parents/carers can use their funded hours with a range of providers in partnership with Aberdeen City Council to deliver up to 1140 hours of ELC. Parents / carers can chose to access ELC from registered childminders, private nurseries, local authority nurseries and also apply for outdoor nurseries. Gaelic Medium Education at nursery, Sgoil-Araich, is also an option at Gilcomstoun School / Bun-sgoil Gilcomstoun.
Eligible 2 year olds will be able to access 1140 hours of funded Early Learning and Childcare from local authority nurseries as well as private nurseries and childminders in partnership with Aberdeen City Council. For more information please contact the Family Information Service by emailing eligible2@aberdeencity.gov.uk
Yes, to apply for an eligible 2 year old place to access 1140 hours of Early Learning and Childcare. Please complete the online application form after reading the guidance below:
If you are unsure if you should apply, or if your child has specific needs or status that you’d like to discuss before you apply, please contact the Early Years Admissions team, by email EYAdmissions@aberdeencity.gov.uk or call 01224 764654.