South Ayrshire Council is committed to providing a high-quality early years’ experience for every child. Our Early Years Centres and Funded Providers offer nurturing, caring and child friendly environments where practitioners follow national guidelines for the care and learning of children aged 0-5 years encouraging learning through play.
When and How do I apply?
Early years registration will take place during the week of 16th February 2026 – 22nd February 2026.
Places for early learning and childcare are not allocated by school catchment areas. Applications can be made online; you will receive an acknowledgement e-mail once the application has been submitted. If you do not receive an acknowledgement e-mail with your case reference number, please contact your 1st preference early years centre to ensure your application has been received.
What Options are Available?
In our EYCs that operate full year parents/carers can choose from the following-
Option 1 Full Year- Mornings Only 8 a.m. – 12.45 p.m.
Option 2 Full Year Flexible- 2½ days can be used as 2 full days (8 a.m. – 5.30 p.m.) and 1 morning (8 a.m. – 12.45)
Option 3 Term Time- Monday – Friday 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. (with exception of Troon EYC)
In our EYCs that are term time only parents/carers can access Option 3 Term Time- Monday – Friday 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. only.
PLEASE NOTE : SPACE PLACE EARLY YEARS CENTRE is a Term Time EYC, so Option 3 – 9am-3pm is the option available to parents.
Please see here for details of EYCs and attendance options available.
Local Authority Early Years Centres with Pattern of Attendance 2026-27(PDF, 146 KB)
When will my child be eligible to start early learning and childcare?
4 Year Olds
If your child’s date of birth is on or between 1 March 2022 and 28 February 2023
He/she will be eligible for a funded early learning and childcare place from August 2026
3 Year Olds
If your child’s date of birth is on or between 1 March 2023 and 29 February 2024
He/she will be eligible for a funded early learning and childcare place as set out as follows:
| 1 March 2023 – 20 August 2023 | from start of term August 2026 |
| For children with a DOB from 21 August -31 August | funding cannot start until the day of their 3rd birthday |
| 1 September 2023 – 29 February 2024 | the first Monday after their third birthday (unless a public holiday or in-service day) |
Apply (August 2026 – July 2027)
To complete the application, you may be asked for the following:
- An image of:
- Your child’s birth certificate
- Proof of address (current council tax notice or recent utility bill) Guidance for Proof of Address
A separate application is required per child.
Please view this short video highlighting some key information for registration.
If you are unable to submit an online application, please contact your preferred Early Years Centre.
or
Educational Services 01292 612162 edservicesELC@south-ayrshire.gov.uk
Please note places are allocated according to our admissions priorities, below, and not on a first come first served basis.
Applications for children who reside out with South Ayrshire Council: Children who live out with the boundary of South Ayrshire Council can make an application to a South Ayrshire Council Early Years Centre or Funded Provider.
In cases where parents/carers own resident local authority apply the statutory entitlement your child will become eligible the term after their 3rd birthday. This is the criteria that will also be applied when South Ayrshire children access a cross-boundary place in an authority where the statutory entitlement applies.
