It’s that time of year where the Council’s Education team asks parents and carers to register their young children for nursery and P1, to help schools and nurseries plan for the school year ahead.

Registration takes place online between 9am on 23 February and Friday 1 March (closes at 5pm).

For Nursery Registration:

Children turning three between 1 March this year and 28 February 2025 can be registered for their first year of funded Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) in one of Orkney’s nurseries or with a partnership childminder – to start in the term following their third birthday. (If your child is three or four years old and currently attending their first year of ELC they will automatically be enrolled for their second year in their current setting – parents/carers do not need to complete a registration form unless they wish to change setting).

Online registration forms can be accepted after the registration period but please be aware that in some settings spaces may be oversubscribed.

In the Papdale catchment area there are two settings, Papdale and the Strynd. Glaitness is also available to Papdale catchment parents. When registering, parents will be asked to indicate their first choice, followed by their second and third in the event that their first choice is oversubscribed at the time of registering. Once registration opens, places are allocated in the order they are received.

You can find the online registration form, and information about each of the settings, at www.orkney.gov.uk/ELC

If you have any queries or require any further information or assistance in completing registration forms, contact the head teacher or nursery manager at your local setting or the Early Years Service, on 01856 873535 or email elc@orkney.gov.uk .

For P1 Registration:

If your child is five years old on or between 1 March and the first day of the school term, Tuesday 20 August 2024, your child will start school this August.

If your child is five years old on or between Wednesday 21 August and the last day of February 2025, your child is eligible to start school on 20 August 2024 – however, you have the option to defer your child’s entry to school. (If you choose to defer, you should let your nursery know so your child can be enrolled for a further year – you won’t be required to complete a registration form). All children who are eligible to defer as above are entitled to an additional year of funded Early Learning and Childcare.

Parents and guardians who wish to enrol their child(ren) for Primary One should complete the online registration form at www.orkney.gov.uk/P1

If you have any queries or require any further information or assistance in completing registration forms, contact the head teacher at your local school or the Education Department, Education, Leisure & Housing on 01856 873535 or email education.leisure@orkney.gov.uk .