Early Learning & Childcare (Nursery & Childminder) places for 2 year olds

Nursery Class Closure Decision
At their meeting on 4 March 2025, West Lothian Council's Education Executive -

Agreed to the closure proposals for 8 nursery classes - Bathgate West; Our Lady's (Stoneyburn); Deans North; Ladywell; Fauldhouse; St Anthony's; St Joseph's; and Linlithgow Bridge.
Did not agree to closure proposal for 1 nursery class - Glenvue Nursery School

For more information please see the: Schools and Education - Closed Consultations page.

Funded 2 year olds places are available at some nurseries, playgroups and childminders. 2 year old Early Learning & Childcare (Nursery & Childminder) provision is a fun and friendly opportunity for children to make friends and to learn and develop through play. If your child qualifies then they can have funding to attend a placement for up to 1,140 hours. This equates to roughly 22 hours per week if a child attends for 50 weeks of the year or 30 hrs per week if they only attend for 38 weeks.

Does my child qualify?

Your child may qualify if you get one or more of these benefits -

Income Support
Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
Income-based Employment Support Allowance, Incapacity Benefit or Severe Disablement Allowance
State Pension Credit
Child Tax Credits, but not Working Tax Credit with annual household income below £19, 995
Child Tax Credits and Working Tax Credit with an annual household income below £9, 552
Support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
Universal Credit with a monthly household earned income of £796 per month or below (Based on equivalent of £9, 552 per year) Note: disability allowance is not included as income

or if your child is -

Looked after
Under a kinship care order
Is living with a parent-appointed guardian
Care experienced or has a parent who is care experienced

or if the family has -

Graduated from the Family Nurse Partnership (FNP)

When could my child start?

The date you child can start depends on when their 2nd birthday falls. Please refer to the table below for guidance.

Child's birthday falls between	Term start date
1 September - 31 December	January Term
1 January - 29 February	April Term
1 March - 31 August	August Term

Where are places offered?

These are the establishments that currently provide 2 year old placements. Availability may vary.

Council Nurseries

Area	Establishment	Number of weeks
Armadale & Blackridge	Blackridge PS Nursery Class	50 weeks
Armadale & Blackridge	St Anthony's PS Nursery Class	50 weeks, Closing from Aug 25
Armadale & Blackridge	Torphichen PS Nursery Class	38 weeks
Bathgate	Bathgate Early Years Centre	50 weeks
Bathgate	St Columba's PS Nursery Class	50 weeks
Bathgate	St Mary's PS Bathgate Nursery Class	38 weeks
Broxburn, Uphall & Winchburgh	Holy Family PS Nursery Class	50 weeks AM only
Broxburn, Uphall & Winchburgh	Kirkhill Nursery School	50 weeks
East Livingston & East Calder	East Calder PS Nursery Class	50 weeks
East Livingston & East Calder	Letham PS Nursery Class	50 weeks
Fauldhouse & the Breich Valley	Addiewell PS Nursery Class	50 weeks
Fauldhouse & the Breich Valley	Fauldhouse Nursery Class	50 weeks, Closing from Aug 25
Fauldhouse & the Breich Valley	Polbeth Nursery School	50 weeks
Linlithgow	Bonnytoun Nursery School	50 weeks
Linlithgow	Bridgend PS Nursery Class	38 weeks
Livingston North	Deans North Nursery Class	38 weeks, Closing from Aug 25
Livingston North	Knightsridge Early Years Centre	50 weeks
Livingston South	Glenvue Nursery School	38 weeks
Livingston South	Inveralmond Early Years Centre	50 weeks
Livingston South	Ladywell Nursery School	38 weeks, Closing from Aug 25
Livingston South	St Ninian's PS Nursery Class	50 weeks
Whitburn & Blackburn	Croftmalloch PS Nursery Class	50 weeks
Whitburn & Blackburn	Hopefield Nursery School (In Blackburn PS)	50 weeks
Whitburn & Blackburn	Polkemmet PS Nursery Class	50 weeks
Whitburn & Blackburn	Whitdale Early Years Centre	50 weeks

Playgroups*

Armadale Community Playgroup, Armadale Community Centre

Bathgate Community Playgroup, Bathgate Partnership Centre

Broxburn Pre-school Playgroup (Private / Partner), Strathbrock Partnership Centre

Crofthead Hickory House Community Playgroup (Private / Partner) ,Crofthead Community Centre, Dedridge

Fauldhouse Community Playgroup, Fauldhouse Partnership Centre

Howden Playgroup (Private / Partner), Howden St Andrew's Primary School Community Wing

Uphall Community Playgroup based in Uphall Community Centre

* Note - not all playgroups can provide the full 1,140 hours due to their opening times.

First Steps Playgroup Jackson Place, Eliburn, Livingston**

**Note - this playgroup is for children with additional needs only, please only complete an application to see if you qualify for funding if you already have been referred and allocated a place at this playgroup, please contact the playgroup directly to find out about and follow their referral process.

Childminders

Childminders are available across West Lothian. For further information please contact -

Wendy Smith, Childminding Development Offer

Email: wendy.smith@childminding.org (opens new window)

What time of day would my child attend?

Council Nurseries

38 weeks - (Term Time only)
A place is Monday to Thursday 08:00-15:30 or 08:15-15:45 or 08:30-16:00 (check with nursery for their specific time)

50 weeks - (Closed on school Christmas Holidays and Public Bank holidays)
There are 3 different type of places outlined below -

Mornings (AM) - Monday to Thursday 07:47-12:30 and Friday 07:47-11:54
Afternoons (PM) - Monday to Thursday 12:30-18:14
2 full days (2FD) - 08:00-18:00 on 2 days allocated between Monday to Thursday and a short session 3h20m in length on either a Friday morning or a Monday to Thursday afternoon, (allocation of short sessions is dependent on availability).

Playgroups , Private Nurseries and Childminders

Attendance would be agreed between the parent and the provider, must be over a minimum of 38 weeks and no more than 10 hours in any one day.

What documents do I need to provide?

A copy or photo of the child's birth certificate or passport.
If you receive a qualifying benefit you will need to provide the following -

Universal Credit

A copy or screenshots of all pages of your current Universal Credit Statement. We must be able to see:

Your name, address and assessment period.
The entire Deductions section from the line "Total Entitlement before Deductions" down to the "Total Deductions" figure.

Income Support, Income-based Jobseekers Allowance, or Income-based Employment Support Allowance

A copy of a letter from DWP showing which benefit you receive. Alternatively, you can provide a screenshot from your bank statement showing your name and the DWP benefit being paid into your account.

Tax Credits

Copies of all pages of your most recent Tax Credit letter. This letter needs to show that you will be receiving Tax Credit payments in the year you child is eligible to start a 2 year old place.

How do I apply?

Apply using the following online form - Application for an Early Learning and Childcare place for a 2 year old

What if I need some help to apply?

If you are unable to complete an application, staff at - Council Information Service Offices, Family Nurse Partnership team, your health visitor or social worker would be able to support you to access and complete an application, either on-line or as a paper form. You can also request a paper form to be posted to your address by e-mailing the Education Customer Support Team (Pupil Placement).

Email: pupilplacement@westlothian.gov.uk (opens new window) Please state the name of the provision you wish to apply for (so we know which form to send), how many forms you require, and your name and address.

I've already applied but need to send additional documents

Please complete this form if you have any further information you need to add to an application you've submitted.

Additional information to add to submitted application

How will I be notified of my place?

You will receive an email response within 4 weeks. If you do not hear from us please get in contact.

Education Customer Support Team (Pupil Placement)

Email: pupilplacement@westlothian.gov.uk (opens new window) Please include child's name and date of birth.

Telephone: 01506 280000

Application for an Early Learning and Childcare place for a 2 year old