Apply for a Nursery place for a 3 or 4 year old child in a Council establishment or for funding to attend a partner establishment

Nursery Class Consultation
West Lothian Council's Education Executive at its meeting on 03 September 2024 authorised West Lothian Council's Education Services to commence statutory consultation on the proposal to close 9 nursery classes.  For more information please see the: Schools and Education Consultations page. 

We send letters to the parents/carers of all the children we know of in West Lothian, who have just reached 2 years of age, with information on our admissions system.  You do not need to have received a letter to complete an application form, applications are accepted from a child's 2nd birthday.

The Council's School Placement Panel has responsibility for deciding these applications.

Before starting to complete an application form please read the  Pre School Admission - Policy and ​​​​​​​Procedure (PDF) [408KB] (opens new window) document carefully. The  Early Learning and Childcare (nursery & childminder) 3 and 4 Year Olds - Guidance Notes (PDF) [1MB] (opens new window)  provides a list of West Lothian Council and partner ELC establishments with contact details as well as links to other sources of useful information on ELC placement applications.

What will I need to apply?

• If you've moved home recently, please provide some proof of your new address, such as a recent Council Tax bill, a recent utility bill or a copy of a Child Benefit award letter sent recently to you at your new address.
• If your child has not previously attended a West Lothian Council or partner nursery, please provide a copy of your child's birth certificate.

How do I Apply?

The easiest way to apply is to use the 2. Early Learning & Childcare (ELC) 3 and 4 year old provision Application Form on-line form.

Alternatively, if you would prefer to complete a paper form, application packs are available from West Lothian Council ELC establishments and from Council Information offices and from the Education Customer Support Team (Pupil Placement) by e-mailing pupilplacement@westlothian.gov.uk , please state that you wish a nursery application for a 3 or 4 year old, how many forms you require, and your name and address.

What happens to my application?

We will acknowledge your application and send you another letter, to inform you of the outcome of your application.

For August and January placements (children born between 1 March and 31 December), letters will be issued by the end of June.  For April placements (children born between 1 January and 28 or 29 February), letters will be issued by the end of February.