Early Years in Scotland
Everything Scottish parents need to know about funded childcare, nursery costs, choosing care, and the family benefits that make it work. From pregnancy through P1.
Start here
The three guides most Scottish parents read first.
The 1,140 funded hours: complete 2026 guide
Everything Scottish parents need to know about funded childcare, eligibility, and how councils actually deliver it.
How much does nursery actually cost in Scotland?
Coram 2026 data + the under-3 affordability gap versus England, broken down by city and age band.
Care Inspectorate grades: what parents actually need to know
Decoding the four-point scale, what 'Very Good' versus 'Good' really means, and when to worry.
What's my total Scottish family entitlement?
See Scottish Child Payment, Best Start Grant, Best Start Foods, clothing grant and free meals — all your eligibility in 90 seconds.
By city
Local nursery data, costs, and funded provider lists.
Nurseries by council
Funded provider lists, application processes, and Care Inspectorate ratings for all 32 Scottish councils.
All Early Years guides
30 guides covering every aspect of early years in Scotland.
Funded childcare
Costs & affordability
Choosing a nursery
Childminders
Benefits & support while parenting
For Scottish parents-to-be
Things we'd recommend looking at alongside the funded provision and benefits.