Children aged 2 years old could be eligible for funded early learning and childcare if they:

  • Are looked after / under a kinship care order / under a guardianship order.
  • Live in a household with a parent/carer who is care experienced.
  • Live in a household in receipt of certain benefits (listed below)

Eligible benefits are:

  • Income support
  • Jobseeker's Allowance (income-based)
  • Employment Support Allowance (income-based)
  • Incapacity Benefit or Severe Disablement Allowance
  • Pension Credit
  • Child Tax Credit (CTC), but not Working Tax Credit and your income is less than £18,725
  • Both Maximum CTC and maximum Working Tax Credit and your income is under £8,717
  • Support under Part VI of the immigration and Asylum Act 1999
  • Universal Credit with household take-home pay is £726 a month or less

Please note: Income thresholds for Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit can vary annually.


Where funded ELC is available

Funded places for 2 year olds are available at private nurseries and childminders in partnership with Falkirk Council and at these centres run by Falkirk Council:

  • Bonnypark ELC Centre
  • Borrowstoun ELC Centre
  • Camelon ELC Centre
  • Glenburn ELC Centre
  • Langlees ELC Centre
  • Larbert ELC Centre
  • Myot View ELC Centre
  • Parkhill ELC Centre
  • Rannoch ELC Centre
  • Slamannan ELC Class
  • Woodburn ELC Centre

Our Early Learning and Childcare Centres page has more information about each establishment.


How to apply

Applications can be made at any time after your child has turned 2.

To apply for a place or for more information:


Financial support

As a parent/carer of a young child, you may be eligible for additional financial support.

The Scottish Child Payment is a weekly payment of £10 that you can get for every child you look after who's under 6 years of age. You'll get the payment every 4 weeks if your application is successful.

The Best Start Grant is available to families:

  • if your child is the right age for a payment
  • whether you're in work or not, as long as you're on certain payments or benefits
  • as long as you're the parent of a child, or the main person looking after the child