Early Learning & Childcare (Nursery & Childminder) places for 2 year olds
Find out more information about the Early Learning and Childcare (Nursery & Childminder) provision for 2 year olds.
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.
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)
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 |
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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
West Calder Community Playgroup, West Calder Community Centre |
* Note - not all playgroups can provide the full 1,140 hours due to their opening times.
Childminders
Childminders are available across West Lothian. For further information please contact -
Sonia Watson, Childminding Development Offer
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.
- 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.
Apply using the following online form - Application for an Early Learning and Childcare place for a 2 year old
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.
Please complete this form if you have any further information you need to add to an application you've submitted.
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
