Early learning and childcare admissions

    Who can apply

    All 3 and 4 year olds are eligible for funded early learning and childcare.

    Some 2 year olds are also eligible for funded early learning and childcare.

    For session 2021/22, children are eligible for a place according to their date of birth as follows:

    4 year olds

    If your child's date of birth is on or between 01 March 2017 and 28 February 2018 he/she would have been eligible for a funded early learning and childcare place from August 2020.

    3 year olds

    If your child's date of birth is on or between 01 March 2018 and 28 February 2019 he/she will be eligible for a funded place as set out below.

    A child in his/her ante-pre-school year will be eligible for entry to early learning and childcare after the child's 3rd birthday as follows:

    • children who reach 3 years of age between 01 March and 31 July the start date will be at the beginning of the Autumn Term (August).
    • children reaching 3 years between 01 August and 28 February of the following year the start date will be one month after the child's 3rd birthday.

    What we (Falkirk Council) offer

    Nursery provider Provision available Model
    Ward 1 Bo'ness & Blackness (6)
    Bo'ness Public Term time only - 5 days per week - 9am to 3pm (+/- 15 mins) 1a
    Deanburn Term time only - 5 days per week - 9am to 3pm (+/- 15 mins) 1a
    Grange Term time only - 5 days per week - 9am to 3pm (+/- 15 mins) 1a
    Kinglass ELC Centre (from August 2021) Full year (excluding public holidays and In-Service days) - 8am to 6pm 3
    Kinneil Term time only - 5 days per week - 8am to 6pm 1b
    St Mary's Term time only - 5 days per week - 9am to 3pm (+/- 15 mins) 1a
    Ward 2 Grangemouth (5)
    Beancross Term time only - 5 days per week - 9am to 3pm (+/- 15 mins) 1a
    Bowhouse Term time only - 5 days per week - 9am to 3pm (+/- 15 mins) 1a
    Abbotsgrange ELC Centre Full year (excluding public holidays and In-Service days) - 8am to 6pm 3
    Rannoch ELC Centre Full year (excluding public holidays and In-Service days) - 8am to 6pm 3
    Sacred Heart Term time only - 5 days per week - 9am to 3pm (+/- 15 mins) 1a
    Ward 3 Denny & Banknock (7)
    Bankier Term time only - 5 days per week - 9am to 3pm (+/- 15 mins) 1a
    Denny ELC Centre Full year (excluding public holidays and In-Service days) - 8am to 6pm 3
    Denny Nursery Class Term time only - 5 days per week - 9am to 3pm (+/- 15 mins) 1a
    Dunipace Term time only - 5 days per week - 9am to 3pm (+/- 15 mins)
    Head of Muir Term time only - 5 days per week - 9am to 3pm (+/- 15 mins) 1a
    Nethermains Term time only - 5 days per week - 9am to 3pm (+/- 15 mins) 1a
    St Patrick's Term time only - 5 days per week - 9am to 3pm (+/- 15 mins) 1a
    Ward 4 Carse, Kinnaird and Tryst (7)
    Airth Term time only - 5 days per week - 9am to 3pm (+/- 15 mins) 1a
    Carron Term time only - 5 days per week - 9am to 3pm (+/- 15 mins) 1a
    Carronshore Term time only - 5 days per week - 9am to 3pm (+/- 15 mins) 1a
    Kinnaird Waters ELC Centre Full year (excluding public holidays and In-Service days) - 8am to 6pm 3
    Larbert ELC Centre Full year (excluding public holidays and In-Service days) - 8am to 6pm 3
    St Bernadette's Term time only - 5 days per week - 9am to 3pm (+/- 15 mins) 1a
    Stenhousemuir Term time only - 5 days per week - 9am to 3pm (+/- 15 mins) 1a
    Ward 5 - Bonnybridge and Larbert (5)
    Antonine Term time only - 5 days per week - 9am to 3pm (+/- 15 mins) 1a
    Bonnypark ELC Centre Full year (excluding public holidays and In-Service days) - 8am to 6pm 3
    Ladeside Term time only - 5 days per week - 9am to 3pm (+/- 15 mins) 1a
    Larbert Village Term time only - 5 days per week - 9am to 3pm (+/- 15 mins) 1a
    St Joseph's Term time only - 5 days per week - 9am to 3pm (+/- 15 mins) 1a
    Ward 6 - Falkirk North (7)
    Bainsford Term time only - 5 days per week - 9am to 3pm (+/- 15 mins) 1a
    Camelon ELC Centre Full year (excluding public holidays and In-Service days) - 8am to 6pm 3
    Langlees Term time plus 7 weeks of the summer holidays (closed all other school holiday dates) - 8am to 6pm 2
    St Andrew's Term time only - 5 days per week - 9am to 3pm (+/- 15 mins) 1a
    St Francis Xavier Term time only - 5 days per week - 9am to 3pm (+/- 15 mins) 1a
    Victoria Term time only - 5 days per week - 9am to 3pm (+/- 15 mins) 1a
    Woodburn ELC Centre (from August 2021) Full year (excluding public holidays and In-Service days) - 8am to 6pm 3
    Ward 7 - Falkirk South (5)
    Bantaskin Term time only - 5 days per week - 9am to 3pm (+/- 15 mins) 1a
    Carmuirs Term time only - 5 days per week - 9am to 3pm (+/- 15 mins) 1a
    Comely Park Term time only - 5 days per week - 9am to 3pm (+/- 15 mins) 1a
    Easter Carmuirs Term time only - 5 days per week - 9am to 3pm (+/- 15 mins) 1a
    Glenburn ELC Centre Full year (excluding public holidays and In-Service days) - 8am to 6pm 3
    Ward 8 - Lower Braes (3)
    Laurieston Term time only - 5 days per week - 9am to 3pm (+/- 15 mins) 1a
    Parkhill ELC Centre Full year (excluding public holidays and In-Service days) - 8am to 6pm 3
    Westquarter Term time only - 5 days per week - 9am to 3pm (+/- 15 mins) 1a
    Ward 9 - Upper Braes (7)
    Avonbridge Term time only - 5 days per week - 9am to 3pm (+/- 15 mins) 1a
    California Term time only - 5 days per week - 9am to 3pm (+/- 15 mins) 1a
    Glendevon ELC Centre Full year (excluding public holidays and In-Service days) - 8am to 6pm 3
    Shieldhill Term time only - 5 days per week - 9am to 3pm (+/- 15 mins) 1a
    Slamannan Term time only - 5 days per week - 8am to 6pm 1b
    Wallacestone Term time only - 5 days per week - 9am to 3pm (+/- 15 mins) 1a
    Whitecross Term time only - 5 days per week - 9am to 3pm (+/- 15 mins) 1a

    When to apply

    The closing date for applications is 31 March 2021.

    Applications received after this date will be treated as late according to the Admissions Policy.

    Early Learning and Childcare Admission Policy
    PDF file, 400.1 KB

    How to apply

      Falkirk Council ELC settings

      Parents/carers of eligible 3 & 4 year olds can apply for a place at a Falkirk Council ELC setting by completing the application form below.

      ELC application form
      DOCX file, 94.4 KB

      Your completed form should be saved (as a word document preferably) and emailed to elc@falkirk.gov.uk.

      We are unable to accept paper copy applications at this time. Application forms will be accepted by email only. If you need support with this please call one of the numbers listed below.

      All applications must be accompanied by (photographs will be accepted):

      • Proof of date of birth:
        • Birth certificate or
        • Passport
      • Proof of residence:
        • Council Tax notice
        • Utility bill
        • Driving licence
        • Tenancy Agreement

      Places are allocated by the ELC Admissions Team in accordance with the Early Learning and Childcare Admission Policy:

      Early Learning and Childcare Admission Policy
      PDF file, 400.1 KB
      ELC Admissions Team
      01324 506661

      Childminders

      Falkirk Council works in partnership with a number of local childminders for the delivery of funded early learning and childcare. You can find childminders via the Care Inspectorate website.

      Funded ELC is only available at childminders who are in partnership with Falkirk Council. Parents/carers should check with their preferred childminder as to whether they are a current partner provider.

      If the childminder is a partner provider and they have confirmed availability, you will be provided with a 'Funding Form' which should be sent to us to arrange funding.

      Private nurseries

      Falkirk Council works in partnership with a number of local private providers for the delivery of funded early learning and childcare. Contact details are given below.

      Parents/carers should apply directly to the private provider. When the place is confirmed by the provider, you will then be provided with a 'Funding Form' which should be sent to us to arrange funding.

      Area Private providers
      Bainsford Carousel Nursery
      Bo'ness The Kidz Stop
      Brightons Glenbervie Kindergarden
      Carrongrove Glenbervie Kindergarden
      Denny Kool Kidz Nursery
      Falkirk

      Bright Beginnings

      Little Stars Nursery

      Wellside Kindergarten
      Grangemouth Zetland Nursery
      Larbert

      Glenbervie Kindergarden

      Tiptoes Nursery
      Longcroft First Steps (email)
      Polmont Cherry Tree (email)

      How to transfer

      If you want to change nursery during the session then please complete a Nursery transfer form giving 6 weeks' notice.

      Nursery transfer form
      DOCX file, 67.9 KB

      Financial support

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

      The new Scottish Child Payment (£40 every 4 weeks for eligible children under 6 years of age) opened on 15 February 2021.

      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.