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Choosing a different nursery

Although most parents choose their local nursery, you can ask for a place at a different one. This is called a placing request.

Reasons such as siblings already attending a nearby school, a planned change of address, or existing childcare arrangements may be taken into consideration. We will do our best to accommodate your request, but places at alternative settings cannot be guaranteed and depend on the availability of spaces.

Please note that a placing request for nursery does not guarantee a place at that school for Primary One. You will need to submit a separate placing request when your child is due to start school.

Papdale Nursery - due to pressure on places, placing requests and split placements for Papdale cannot generally be considered. Only exceptional requests will be looked at.

Can I choose a different nursery from the one in my local area?

Although most parents choose a nursery near to where they live, you may find it more convenient to use one elsewhere. Requesting a place at a different nursery is called a Placing Request. Reasons such as siblings already attending a nearby school, planned changes of address, or existing childcare arrangements may be taken into consideration. We will do our best to offer your child a place at your preferred nursery, but this will depend on the number of spaces available. Acknowledgements will be sent on receipt of your request, with final decisions made in early May. Please note that a placing request for nursery does not guarantee a place in Primary One.

You can complete a Placing Request form online.

Using two settings

Some parents split their child's hours between two settings - for example, between a childminder and a Council nursery. This is known as a blended placement. You can use up to 1,140 hours across both settings. Any changes to the hours at each setting must be agreed in advance.

You do not need to submit a new placing request or split placement form for your child's second year of nursery unless you wish to change settings or arrangements.

How places are allocated

Usually all eligible children are able to have an early learning and childcare place in their local setting. However, if no provision exists locally, or if the setting is full, the child will be offered a place elsewhere. New requests for places are prioritised in the following order:

  1. An eligible child who lives in the catchment area (the area where you live)
  2. An eligible child outside the catchment area who has additional support needs best met in that setting, including looked after children
  3. A placing or split placement request for an eligible child outside the catchment area who has a sibling already in that setting (in two year old provision or nursery)
  4. A placing or split placement request for an eligible child outside the catchment area who has a sibling already in the school (P1 to P7)
  5. A placing or split placement request to meet childcare requirements for working parents - for example, the setting offers a year-round pattern
  6. New placing requests not covered above

Acknowledgements will be sent on receipt of your request, with final decisions made in early May.

Forms

Placing Request and Split Placement forms can be found by following the button below:

Registration forms