Pre-School Education

Research has shown that good quality pre-school education improves all-round development in children.  Since 2002, part-time pre-school education has been provided free for three and four year old children in Scotland.
Education authorities are given funding to deliver pre-school education.  They provide pre-school education places in their own nursery classes and nursery schools and also provide places in partner settings such as playgroups and private nurseries.
National guidelines for the education of children aged 3 to 5 have been published in the form of A Curriculum Framework for Children 3-5 (opens in a new window).  The curriculum framework sets out 5 key aspects of children's development and learning, and looks at the planning of learning experiences.  All providers of pre-school education must follow these guidelines.  However, the curriculum framework is a flexible guideline and each centre will have its own approach to the learning experiences it offers children.

Each education authority has its own procedure of enrolling children for pre-school education.  You should contact your local authority or the local childcare information service to find out more.

1. Additional Costs?
Pre-school education places are free, although there may be a small fee for snacks and other extras. Parents may also have to pay for additional wraparound care. Wraparound care is childcare that combines education and care, such as  a child attending  school nursery in the morning and then attending an out of school club for the afternoon.

2. Partner Providers (such as private nurseries and playgroups)
Education authorities have to offer enough places to meet parental demand.  They should also  take into account the different types of services that parents want - for example, some parents may need all day care for their child. There is Guidance on Pre-school Education and Guidance on Commissioning Pre-School Education Partners, but it is for local authorities to decide which centres they contract with.

3. Hours
Education authorities must offer each child 475 hours of pre-school education per year (less for children who start pre-school later in the year).  This is usually delivered as five 2.5 hour sessions per week, although some authorities have different arrangements so you should check with your local authority.
Guidance on pre-school education encourages education authorities to offer flexible arrangements to meet parents' needs (taking into account things like working patterns).  Sometimes more flexible arrangements are available in partner settings, such as private nurseries.
Education authorities can provide more than 475 hours (or 38 weeks) if they choose.  Many education authority nursery classes and schools are open for the school term of 38 weeks.  Providing that they offer at least 475 hours per year, it is up to education authorities to decide whether to provide additional hours in their own centres or in partner settings.