Childcare & Family Services
Free childcare hours, nurseries, family benefits, and support in Edinburgh
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Family Support.
Scotland offers some of the most generous childcare and family support in the UK β including free childcare hours, the Scottish Child Payment, and the Best Start Grant.
1,140
Free childcare hours
Per year (age 3β4, some 2yr olds)
Β£26.70
Scottish Child Payment
Per week, per eligible child
Up to Β£707
Best Start Grant
One-off payment at birth
P1βP5
Free school meals
All primary 1β5 pupils
Scotland's 1,140 Free Childcare Hours
Every 3 and 4 year old in Scotland is entitled to 1,140 hours of free early learning and childcare per year β the equivalent of about 30 hours per week during term time, or 22 hours per week year-round.
Some 2-year-olds are also eligible if the family receives certain benefits. This is significantly more generous than England's 15 free hours for 3β4 year olds (though England is expanding this).
Who is eligible?
β
All 3 and 4 year olds
Every child from the term after their 3rd birthday to starting school. No income test β universally available.
β
2 year olds (low income)
Eligible if family receives: Universal Credit (net earnings under Β£796/month), Income Support, Job Seeker's Allowance, Employment & Support Allowance, or Child Tax Credit (no Working Tax Credit).
β
2 year olds (looked-after children)
All looked-after 2-year-olds are automatically eligible regardless of family income.
β
1 year olds and under
Free funded hours do not apply. Parents can access Tax-Free Childcare or Universal Credit childcare element to help with costs.
How to access the free hours
1
Find an approved provider
Any nursery, childminder, or out-of-school care setting that is registered with the Care Inspectorate and approved by Edinburgh City Council can deliver funded hours.
2
Register with your provider
Contact the nursery or childminder directly. They will register your child for funded hours and arrange a schedule. You don't apply to the council β you apply through the provider.
3
No payment for funded hours
The funded hours are paid directly by the council to the provider. You pay nothing for these hours (though you may pay for extras such as meals, additional hours, or activities).
4
Flexibility
You can split the hours across multiple providers. For example, 20 hours at a nursery and 10 hours at a childminder. Speak to each provider about how they handle split arrangements.