Childcare Choices - Registering your child for ELC? It’s as easy as ABC!

Highland Council 

The Highland Council’s enrolment commences 10 February and concludes on 14 February 2025 for the academic year starting August 2025. To enrol and find more information, including contact details for each of the Council’s local settings, should you have further questions, visit:

www.highland.gov.uk/info/878/schools/11/enrol_your_child_for_early_learning_and_childcare 

You can find a list of providers for Highland Council at:

experience.arcgis.com/experience/c7209e75aa1f46f2802e1de469eefbb9

How do we choose?

Argyll and Bute Council and Highland Council each offer dozens of funded ELC providers, including council-managed nurseries and collaborations with numerous childminders and providers in the private and independent sectors. Selecting the right ELC or childcare provider is a personal decision that should align with your child’s needs and your family’s preferences. Make sure you visit the providers that interest you, and ask questions before making your choice. Consider factors such as:

• Do you prefer a structured nursery or a more informal playgroup setting? 
• Would you prefer a specific theme, such as Gaelic or outdoors focused programmes?
• Is the learning environment stimulating, safe and appropriate for your child’s age and development?
• Do the opening hours fit with your working schedule and is there flexibility, if required?
• Is the provider conveniently located for drop-off and pick-up?
• Are there costs for sessions outside the funded allocation or for additional services?

Save the date!

Online registration takes place 20th- 26th January for Argyll and Bute Council and 10th-14th February for Highland Council. Late applications will get lower priority if the ELC setting is oversubscribed. Make sure to have clear copies of your child’s birth certificate and a proof of address letter in your name.

Did you know?

You do not need to make a new application for any child already attending a funded two-year-old placement, who will remain at the same ELC setting. 

Your child may be entitled to a funded meal if their session is four or more hours. You may wish to enquire how this works in the setting/s you are interested in.

ELC Providers

Badden Farm Nursery

A very warm welcome awaits all at Badden Farm Nursery. Fully commissioned for ELC education for over 23 years we pride ourselves on our close ties with our families and the children’s extended families.

The unique experiences we can offer our children are mostly due to a highly qualified, professional staff team but also in part to our amazing geographical position, offering the children the full indoor/outdoor experience.

The ELC children are offered the full experience of outdoor play crucial to their emotional and physical health, and their indoor play offering a healthy play balance fully preparing them for their coming primary education.

Telephone 01546 600072 to speak to Jean or Sharon or email baddenfarm@btconnect.com

Dalintober ELC

Dalintober ELC is situated within Dalintober Primary School, Campbeltown and caters for pre-school children from aged three to five years, with flexible patterns feasible. At Dalintober we provide a happy, rich and safe environment, meeting the needs of every child within our care. Our experienced and qualified practitioners provide enriching learning experiences within our setting and we also make extensive use of outdoor learning opportunities and community partnerships. Our base within Dalintober PS guarantees an extended transition into school life and the reassurance that the school staff team know your children well in preparation for moving ‘forward together’ for future learning.

Caroline Armour
01586 552053
enquiries-dalintober@argyll-bute.gov.uk

Drumlemble ELC

Our ELC day starts at 8:50am and finishes at 2:50pm. We have two Childcare and Education Workers and two Classroom Assistants working with our three and four year olds, providing a range of activities within our ELC Unit.

The children in our ELC learn through play, exploring outdoors and having fun indoors.

The inside setting offers a variety of activities including role play, sand and water play, opportunities for exploring literacy and numeracy and investigation zones.

Outdoors the children can use loose parts to build anything from boats to bulldozers! They have a water wall, mud kitchen and can nurture and grow their own flowers, fruit and vegetables. The children can take part in a range of physical activities – building dens, climbing, jumping and creating their own obstacle courses.

The staff are always on hand to support the children in their learning.

www.drumlemble.argyll-bute.sch.uk/early-learning-centre/

Lochgilphead Primary School ELC

Lochgilphead Primary School ELC provides a happy, caring and stimulating environment. We benefit from custom built facilities that provide extensive opportunities for both indoor and outdoor play.

All our staff are qualified and very experienced in the delivery of the early years’ curriculum, providing children with well-planned and exciting experiences.

Children regularly visit Kilmory Woods for Forest School activities enabling them to learn about the environment and develop a range of skills.

The ELC has close links with Primary 1 thus offering an enhanced transition process into Primary education.
Please get in touch if you would like further information.

enquiries-lochgilphead@argyll-bute.gov.uk
01546 602747

MAKI Pups Outdoor Nursery

Kilmory Walled Gardens, Lochgilphead

ELC funded hours for 3 and 4 year olds. Funded ELC Operating days: Monday to Friday.

Funded ELC session times: 9am to 3pm

Funded ELC hours per week: 30 hours

Private wraparound care available from 8:30am-9am and 3pm-4pm or 3pm-5:15pm.

Private childcare is available for part of the Easter, Summer and October holidays for children aged 3-8.

Lochgilphead
Enquiries
Erin Kennedy
07741582560
erin@act-now.org.uk

Oban 1st Steps Nursery

Oban 1st Steps Nursery is committed to offering a service where every child matters and that their time with us is a seamless extension of home that allows all children to develop their full potential.

Address: Croft Road, Oban, PA34 5JL
Tel: 01631 567491
Email: admin@firststepsoban.co.uk
www.firststepsoban.co.uk/

Stramash

At Stramash we believe that all children deserve an early years at play, in nature. We are champions of place based and child directed learning, as such there is no ‘standard’ Stramash site.

Registration is open for new children, in Argyll & Bute: 20th – 26th January 2025

Visit stramash.org.uk to book a visit and start the registration process, for the next adventure-filled year of outdoor play learning!