Clackmannanshire Council Online

Early Learning Childcare FAQs

Early Learning Childcare FAQs

What age is my child entitled to Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) funded hours? 

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:

• August Intake – child’s birthday must be on or before 31st August
• January Intake – child’s birthday must be on or before 31st December
• April Intake – child’s birthday must be on or before last day of February

How many funded hours of ELC is my child entitled to?

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: 

• ELC Centres
• ELC class within a primary school
• Partner childminders
• Private sector partners

How do I apply for an ELC place?

All applications for Clackmannanshire Council ELC placements for 3-5 years olds and eligible 2 year olds must be submitted during February each academic year before the child is due to start. To apply please follow the link to the online application form.

Can I apply for more than one ELC establishment?  

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 process if, for example, your first choice is unavailable. 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.

If none of the choices indicated on the application are available, parents/carers will be contacted by a member of the ELC team to discuss. 

Do I have to reapply for my funded place if my child is returning to the ELC provision? 

Children already attending a Clackmannanshire Council 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 reapplication with the provider. 

If I choose to defer entry to primary 1 am I entitled to an ELC place?

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.

Deferral paperwork must be submitted to your child's current ELC by 31 January of the year the child is due to start school. 

You must still enrol at your catchment primary school.

Is there an option to pay for extra hours of ELC?

There is currently no option to buy additional ELC hours.

However, paid extended hours within Clackmannanshire Council ELC settings may be offered for a time limited period (if available) to assist in difficult or emergency situations. 

The additional hours will be reviewed or withdrawn at the end of the specified period. 

What is the procedure if I miss the deadline for submitting my application?

Late applications are accepted when submitted, but this can restrict the availability of spaces and choice of establishment. 

Late applications can take up to 6 weeks to process.

Can I split my child funded hours between different ELC provisions?

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.

Parents/carers can specify on the application form as to how the funded hours are to be allocated.

Can I use my ELC funding in a different authority?

Funding follows the child, which means you can access your funded ELC hours out with Clackmannanshire. In this instance, you must email ELCadmissions@clacks.gov.uk to discuss.

Do I have to send my child for the full time that I have been allocated?

You do not need to use the full allocation. You can state what hours you would like to use at time of applying.

You should be aware that if you do not accept the full allocation, you may not be able to change this going forward. 

Note that you cannot ‘bank’ hours not taken to use at another time.

Can I carry forward unused hours to use at a later date?

This is not possible as it affects the core staffing. You will have contracted weekly hours that you can use. If they are not used weekly, they cannot be used at a later date.