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). Our ELC policies can be found in the 'Related Downloads' section of this page.
Registration week for funded Early Learning and Childcare is Friday 17 February 9am until 5pm Friday 24 February 2023. |
If you still require to register for 2022/23 please contact elc@orkney.gov.uk.
Funded Early Learning and Childcare (3-5 year olds including eligible 2 year olds)
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
The Scottish Government offers funded places for some 2 year old children. You need to be in receipt of certain benefits:
| Qualifying benefit |
| Universal credit (and your monthly earned income is less than £610) |
| Income Support. |
| Income Based Jobseekers Allowance. |
| Employment and Support Allowance (Income Related). |
| Child Tax Credit, but not Working Tax Credit (income below £16,480). |
| Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit (income below £7,320). |
| Age 16-18 and claiming any of these benefits in your own right. |
| Incapacity Benefit or Severe Disablement Allowance. |
| Pension Credit. |
| Asylum Seeker receiving support under Part VI of Immigration and Asylum Act 1999. |
| Children of care experienced parents. |
