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  1. 1. Introduction
  2. 2. 15 hours/week for disadvantaged 2-year-olds
  3. 3. Universal offer for 3 and 4-year-olds
  4. 4. Working parents
  5. 5. Scotland
  6. 6. Wales
  7. 7. Northern Ireland

Scotland

Early education and childcare in Scotland

Government-funded early education and childcare in Scotland is not classed as a 'public fund' for immigration purposes, so can be accessed by a child or their parent regardless of their immigration status. 

The following schemes are available to families in Scotland: 

  • 30 hours/week for eligible 2-year-olds 

  • 30 hours/week for all 3 and 4-year-olds

Families in Scotland can access tax-free childcare, but the parents will need to meet an immigration requirement. 

2-year-olds

Eligible 2-year-olds can access 1,140 hours free childcare through funded early education and childcare providers (ELC). 

A child or family will be eligible if: 

  • A child is ‘looked after’ by the local authority or a kinship carer.
  • The family are receiving section 95 or 98 Home Office asylum support (support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999)
  • The family are receiving a qualifying benefit.

The qualifying benefits are:

  • Universal Credit (and with a monthly income of less than £796)
  • Income Support
  • Income-based Job Seeker's Allowance
  • Income-based Employment and Support Allowance
  • Severe disablement allowance
  • State pension credit
  • Child Tax Credit, but not Working Tax Credit, with an income less than £19,995 per year
  • Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit and with an income of less than £9,552 per year

If a 2-year-old is unable to access ELC-funded childcare, such as because the family cannot receive qualifying benefits due to the NRPF condition, they should contact the local authority as councils do have discretion to offer childcare services to a child who does not meet the ELC criteria such as to children from disadvantaged groups.

3 and 4-year-olds

All 3 and 4-year-olds can access up to 1,140 hours free childcare each year through funded early education and childcare providers (ELC). This is approximately 30 hours per week if taken during term time. Read more on early education and childcare on the Scottish government website.

Tax-free childcare

Working parents in Scotland may be eligible for tax-free childcare. Read more about tax free childcare.

 
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