Welcome to Orkney’s Early Learning and Childcare web page. Here you will find information on our new Willow Tree Nursery (0-3 non-statutory provision) and our statutory funded early learning and childcare provision (Local Authority Nurseries and partnership childminders).
Registration week for 2022/23 - Friday 25 February 9am – Friday 4 March 5pm. |
Funded Early Learning and Childcare (3-5 year olds including eligible 2 year olds)
Anyone wanting to register for the current school year (2021/22) should contact us by email.
Willow Tree Nursery (0-3 years)
Willow Tree nursery is a new provision which opened summer of 2021 for children aged 6 months to 3 years. Children can attend until they become eligible for a government funded Early Learning and Childcare place (the term after the child turns three) which is offered in local authority nurseries throughout Orkney as detailed below.
The nursery offers both full and part time places. Parents can request a part time place based on a combination of these session times:
- Mornings with lunch from 0800-1300 (5 hours)
- Afternoons from 1300-1730 (4.5 hours)
All places are £6 per hour.
Frequently Asked Questions
If your child is three or four years old and is currently attending their first year of Early Learning and Childcare (born between 1 March 2018 and 28 February 2019) they will automatically be carried forward for their second year of Early Learning and Childcare in their current setting. They do not need to complete a registration form unless they are requesting to change setting for their second year in the Papdale catchment area. A Change of Setting form is available and should be submitted during registration week.