Available Funding

  🌟 Funded Early Learning and Childcare at Little Dreams Nursery

We’re delighted to offer 1140 hours of funded childcare to all eligible children aged 2, 3, and 4 years. This funding is provided over a school year of 38 weeks, but at Little Dreams Nursery, we spread the hours across 46 weeks, allowing for 24.78 funded hours per week. These hours are calculated over 12 months (September to August) for children attending beyond the funded sessions.

🧸 Funded Sessions Overview

Funded sessions are allocated as follows:

• 2 full days: 7:45 AM – 5:45 PM
• 1 half-day session: Either 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM or 1:00 PM – 5:50 PM
• These sessions are free of charge and cover the 46-week funded period only.

Please note:

• Five morning or afternoon sessions per week cannot be allocated for funded placements.
• This applies to Ante Pre-School / Pre-School Funding and Eligible 2-Year-Olds.
• Funded placements run from mid-August to mid-July.

💳 Additional Hours & Invoicing

If your child attends more than the funded entitlement, you’ll receive a monthly invoice showing the funding deductions and any additional charges.

🎂 When Does Funding Begin?

Funding starts the term after your child’s birthday:

• 3rd birthday for 3- and 4-year-olds
• 2nd birthday for eligible 2-year-olds

We’ll provide all necessary paperwork several weeks before your child’s funding begins.

👶 Eligible 2-Year-Olds

To apply for funding for eligible 2-year-olds:

1. Review the criteria via the link below
2. Submit your application to the Aberdeen City Council
3. Once approved, the Council will notify us
4. We’ll then issue your funding application form

🔗 Check eligibility for funded childcare here:  https://www.mygov.scot/childcare-costs-help/funded-early-learning-and-childcare 

🔄 Changing Providers

If your child moves to another nursery during a term:

• Funding will transfer to the new provider
• You must reapply through the new nursery
• The Council will arrange for the appropriate funding to be transferred

📅 Notice Period

We require 1 month’s notice to terminate your child’s place. Funding at a new provider will begin after this notice period. If your child leaves Little Dreams Nursery, we will notify the Council within 14 days using a Leaver’s Form.

🔐 Data Protection & Funding

Under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), we will share your data with the Early Learning and Childcare Team to process your funding application.

If you choose not to share your data, your child may not be allocated funding.

For questions about how your child’s data is used, please contact the Early Learning and Childcare Team directly.

You may be able to apply for Universal Credit to help with your childcare costs. To find out if you are eligible contact:  

• Telephone: Helpline number: 0800 328 1744
•  Website:  GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) and then type in Universal Credit