ELC funded hours are provided for all children aged 3-5 years and eligible 2 year olds. Eligible children are entitled to a funded ELC place in line with the following dates:
All 3-5 year olds and eligible 2 year olds are entitled to 1140 hours per year, either term time or full year dependent on the ELC provision.
These hours can be in 1 of 4 different ELC provisions:
All applications for Clackmannanshire Council ELC placements for 3-4 years olds and eligible 2 year olds must be submitted between 15 January 2024 until 29 February 2024 of the academic year before the child is due to start.
Within the application form parents/carers are asked to indicate a first, second and third choice of ELC establishments. This is so these choices can be considered during the ELC admissions panel process if, for example, a suitable placement is unavailable for their initial choice.
If none of the choices indicated on the application is available then parents/carers will be contacted by a representative of Clackmannanshire Council to discuss further options.
Children already attending an ELC funded establishment do not have to reapply each year. Returning children are automatically allocated a place for the following year unless the initial place was awarded on a temporary basis for emergency reasons.
Parents/carers of returning children will be given the opportunity to change sessions allocated to them for the following year if they wish to do so.
For funded partner nurseries and partnership childminders, parents/carers should discuss re-application with the provider.
If your child is not yet 5 years old at the beginning of the school year in August and the parent chooses to defer their child’s entry to primary 1 then the child is entitled to ELC funding for that additional year.
In the situation that the parents/carers first choice of establishment is unable to be accommodated due to high demand the parent will then be offered a place at their second or third choice of establishment.
The Council has to ensure all eligible children are prioritised and every effort will be made to allocate families first choice or find an appropriate establishment in the community that best suits the needs of the child and family.
Paid extended hours within Council ELC settings may be offered for a time limited period (if available) to assist in difficult or emergency situations, for example, illness, seasonal work, change of shift pattern or jury duty.
The additional hours will be reviewed or withdrawn at the end of the specified period.
Applications are to be submitted between 15 January 2024 - 29 February 2024.
If an application is not submitted within this time frame the applications will reopen again between 22 April - 10 May 2024, however these will be considered as late.
Late applications are accepted when submitted, however places will be allocated after those received on time.
When applications are submitted late please be aware that this can restrict the availability of spaces and choice of establishment.
Parents/carers can access their funding with more than one provider. An example of this is a local authority ELC setting and a partnership funded provider and/or a childminder.
Another example is to split funding across two early years centres, partnership nurseries or childminders in different council areas.
Parents/carers can specify on the application form as to how the funded hours are to be allocated.
Education
Kilncraigs, Greenside Street, Alloa, FK10 1EB
Tel: 01259 450000
Email: education@clacks.gov.uk