The Rainbow Room can accommodate up to 48 children aged 3-5 years old. The playroom is currently, staffed by 7 early years education and childcare officers and 2 Early Years Support Assistants.
Following the expansion of early years in August 2020, children aged 3-5 years are entitled to 1140 hours of early learning and childcare (ELC).
Places are allocated in line with Inverclyde Council’s Admissions Policy, which can be accessed here: 3 – 5 year old places – Inverclyde Council
Our main model of delivering your child’s ELC entitlement is:
- A Model 1 place which consists of Monday to Friday between the hours of 9am and 3pm over 38 weeks per year (term-time).
We can also deliver your child’s entitlement using the following approaches:
- Blended approach with a childminder and a nursery.
- With a funded provider (Private / voluntary / independent nursery) that meets the new national standards set by the Scottish Government.
How to apply for a 3-5 year-old place
An application form must be completed and submitted to your first choice establishment. You will also need to provide proof of your residing address in the form of a council tax letter and proof of your child’s date of birth in the form of your child’s birth certificate. We cannot accept your application form if you do not produce this information when submitting your form.
Forms must be submitted by the last day in February each year so that they can be considered by the Annual Admissions Panel which takes place in April or May however this can vary. Any forms received after the last day in February will be classed as a late application and will be presented at the Post Admissions Panel in August. Due to availability in each establishment there is no guarantee that your first choice of nursery will be granted.
Admissions Timeline
The timeline below indicates when your child will be eligible to begin their early learning and childcare place
| Inverclyde Council – Admissions Timeline | |
| Child’s Birthday | Intake – first available Monday in the month. |
| 1st March – 31st August | August/September |
| 1st September – 30th September | October |
| 1st October – 31st October | November |
| 1st November – 30th November | December |
| 1st December – 31st December | January |
| 1st January – 31st January | February |
| 1st February – last day February | March |
