West Scotland · Early Years
Nurseries in Argyll and Bute
Argyll and Bute covers a large and dispersed area including many island and rural communities. The council relies heavily on childminders and small partner providers to deliver funded hours where council nurseries are not viable. Families on islands such as Islay, Mull or Tiree should contact the council directly to arrange funded provision.
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~£240/wk
Avg cost under-3
1,140 hrs
Funded hours/year
Term-time or stretched
Funded delivery
December
Apply from
Apply for a nursery place in Argyll and Bute
Every child in Scotland is entitled to 1,140 hours of funded Early Learning and Childcare per year from the term after their third birthday. In Argyll and Bute, applications for council nursery places typically open in December for an August start. Apply early — council places are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis in most areas.
How funded hours work in Argyll and Bute
Argyll and Bute offers term-time or stretched for the 1,140 funded hours.
Term-time delivery
~30 hours/week for ~38 school weeks per year. Best if your child will also attend school term-time.
Stretched delivery
~22 hours/week spread over 52 weeks. Better for working parents who need year-round provision.
Finding a funded partner provider
Your child can use any nursery or childminder on Argyll and Bute's approved partner provider list — not just council-run nurseries. Ask any private nursery or childminder whether they are a funded partner before enrolling.
Contact Argyll and Bute Council for partner listCare Inspectorate ratings for Argyll and Bute nurseries
All Scottish nurseries and childminders are regulated by the Care Inspectorate, which publishes inspection grades on a 1–6 scale (1 Unsatisfactory → 6 Excellent). Look for grades of 4 (Good) or above across all key questions — particularly Quality of care and support and Quality of management and leadership.
A grade 3 (Adequate) in any category warrants a closer look. A grade 1 or 2 is a serious warning sign — check whether an improvement notice is in place.
Search Argyll and Bute nurseries on Care InspectorateEvery registered nursery in Argyll and Bute
74 registered nurseries, playgroups and children-and-family centres in Argyll and Bute — 55 council-run, 10 private and 9 voluntary. Of the 73 with published grades, 62 scored Good or better on every key question at their latest inspection and 0 scored Weak or Unsatisfactory on at least one; 1 have not yet been graded. 32 carry grades published before 2024 — read those as a statement about that inspection, not about today.
Out-of-school clubs and childminders are not listed. “Grades” is the lowest and highest of the six key-question grades at the latest published inspection.
| Nursery | Town | Sector | Places | Grades | Graded |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arrochar Primary Pre Five UnitG83 7DG · CS2003014623 | Alexandria | Council | 17 | 5–6 Very good to Excellent | Mar 2020 |
| Strath of Appin Primary Pre Five UnitPA38 4BG · CS2003014666 | Appin | Council | 16 | 4–5 Good to Very good | Jul 2017 |
| Cairndow Community ChildcarePA26 8BL · CS2003036696 | Cairndow | Voluntary | 24 | 4–5 Good to Very good | Feb 2026 |
| Lochgoilhead Primary Pre Five UnitPA24 8AQ · CS2008182043 | Cairndow | Council | 16 | 4–5 Good to Very good | Jan 2020 |
| Strachur Primary Pre Five UnitPA27 8DH · CS2012309962 | Cairndow | Council | 18 | 3–4 Adequate to Good | Jul 2026 |
| Campbeltown Aqualibrium Early Learning and ChildcarePA28 6EG · CS2019375940 | Campbeltown | Council | 24 | 4 Good | May 2022 |
| Campbeltown Nursery CentrePA28 6LE · CS2003014631 | Campbeltown | Council | 38 | 4–5 Good to Very good | Feb 2024 |
| Carradale Primary Pre Five UnitPA28 6SD · CS2003014632 | Campbeltown | Council | 10 | 4–5 Good to Very good | Mar 2026 |
| Community Support Network - Kintyre Network CentrePA28 6DB · CS2019373073 | Campbeltown | Council | 8 | 3–5 Adequate to Very good | Apr 2026 |
| Dalintober ELCCPA28 6HG · CS2003014636 | Campbeltown | Council | 54 | 3–4 Adequate to Good | Jul 2025 |
| Drumlemble Primary Pre Five UnitPA28 6PW · CS2003014638 | Campbeltown | Council | 15 | 4 Good | Mar 2019 |
| Meadows Under Fives GroupPA28 6LE · CS2003003018 | Campbeltown | Voluntary | 21 | 4–5 Good to Very good | Aug 2023 |
| Cardross Early Learning and ChildcareG82 5PN · CS2019375695 | Cardross | Council | 30 | 4–5 Good to Very good | Oct 2022 |
| Dalmally Primary Pre Five UnitPA33 1BE · CS2003014637 | Dalmally | Council | 16 | 4–5 Good to Very good | Dec 2025 |
| Nursery Rhymes Childcare LtdG82 5NT · CS2003003266 | Dumbarton | Private | 57 | 4 Good | Aug 2023 |
| Clyde Cottage Nursery CentrePA23 8DB · CS2003014633 | Dunoon | Council | 90 | 4 Good | Dec 2023 |
| Dunoon Primary Pre Five Unit · CS2003014642 | Dunoon | Council | 32 | 4 Good | Jul 2023 |
| Kilmodan Primary Pre Five UnitPA22 3AE · CS2003014653 | Dunoon | Council | 10 | 4–5 Good to Very good | Oct 2025 |
| Patchwork Family Centre SCIOPA23 7PH · CS2025000523 | Dunoon | Private | 36 | Not yet graded | — |
| Sandbank Primary Pre Five UnitPA23 8PW · CS2003014661 | Dunoon | Council | 40 | 4–5 Good to Very good | Apr 2026 |
| Silver Birch Outdoor NurseryPA23 8JU · CS2021000197 | Dunoon | Council | 24 | 4 Good | Jul 2023 |
| Sunbeams NurseryPA23 7SJ · CS2015342398 | Dunoon | Voluntary | 24 | 4 Good | Nov 2023 |
| B.A.S.I.C. and Corner House NurseryG84 7QQ · CS2015342265 | Helensburgh | Voluntary | 70 | 3–4 Adequate to Good | Nov 2025 |
| Clyde NurseryG84 8HX · CS2003003261 | Helensburgh | Private | 56 | 4–5 Good to Very good | Aug 2022 |
| Colgrain Primary Pre Five UnitG84 7TZ · CS2003014635 | Helensburgh | Council | 40 | 5 Very good | Mar 2025 |
| Drumfork Forest School and Out of SchoolG84 9HL · CS2020381172 | Helensburgh | Private | 16 | 4 Good | Nov 2022 |
| Drumfork Nursery and Family CentreG84 9HL · CS2018371781 | Helensburgh | Private | 76 | 3–4 Adequate to Good | Jun 2026 |
| Garelochhead Primary Early Learning and ChildcareG84 0DG · CS2023000016 | Helensburgh | Council | 40 | 4–5 Good to Very good | Dec 2025 |
| John Logie Baird Primary Pre 5G84 9EP · CS2003014648 | Helensburgh | Council | 75 | 4–5 Good to Very good | Dec 2022 |
| Kanga Rhu PreschoolG84 8JF · CS2010250397 | Helensburgh | Private | 10 | 4 Good | Aug 2021 |
| Kilcreggan Primary Pre Five UnitG84 0HT · CS2003014650 | Helensburgh | Council | 40 | 4 Good | Sept 2025 |
| Lomond School NurseryG84 9JX · CS2003016882 | Helensburgh | Voluntary | 24 | 6 Excellent | Mar 2023 |
| Mulberry Bush NurseryG84 7EY · CS2003003250 | Helensburgh | Private | 114 | 4–6 Good to Excellent | Nov 2019 |
| Rosneath Early Learning and ChildcareG84 0RJ · CS2019375368 | Helensburgh | Council | 24 | 4–5 Good to Very good | Aug 2022 |
| St. Joseph's Primary Family Learning CentreG84 7LR · CS2013315653 | Helensburgh | Council | 56 | 5 Very good | Oct 2025 |
| Stepping Stones NurseryG84 8DQ · CS2019374674 | Helensburgh | Private | 36 | 4 Good | Mar 2026 |
| Inveraray Pre Five UnitPA32 8YH · CS2003014646 | Inveraray | Council | 30 | 4–5 Good to Very good | Dec 2019 |
| Apple Tree NurseryPA20 0AY · CS2021000162 | Isle Of Bute | Voluntary | 40 | 5 Very good | Aug 2023 |
| Rothesay Primary Pre Five UnitPA20 9JH · CS2007157142 | Isle of Bute | Council | 98 | 4–5 Good to Very good | Jun 2026 |
| Arinagour Primary Pre Five UnitPA78 6TA · CS2003014622 | Isle of Coll | Council | 8 | 4–5 Good to Very good | Apr 2026 |
| Kilchattan Primary Pre Five UnitPA61 7YR · CS2012308195 | Isle of Colonsay | Council | 10 | 4–5 Good to Very good | Jun 2024 |
| Gigha Primary Pre Five UnitPA41 7AA · CS2003014645 | Isle of Gigha | Council | 10 | 4 Good | Nov 2024 |
| Iona Primary Pre Five UnitPA76 6SJ · CS2010278760 | Isle of Iona | Council | 10 | 4–5 Good to Very good | Apr 2026 |
| Bowmore Primary Pre Five UnitPA43 7JX · CS2003014627 | Isle of Islay | Council | 30 | 4–5 Good to Very good | Mar 2020 |
| Keills Primary Pre Five UnitPA46 7RF · CS2003014657 | Isle of Islay | Council | 13 | 4 Good | Dec 2025 |
| Port Charlotte Primary Pre Five UnitPA48 7TW · CS2005104983 | Isle of Islay | Council | 20 | 4–5 Good to Very good | Dec 2025 |
| Port Ellen Primary Pre Five UnitPA42 7BW · CS2003014658 | Isle of Islay | Council | 32 | 5 Very good | Jul 2025 |
| Small Isles Primary Pre Five UnitPA60 7XG · CS2003014664 | Isle of Jura | Council | 16 | 4 Good | Jul 2025 |
| Bunessan Primary Pre Five UnitPA67 6DG · CS2003014629 | Isle of Mull | Council | 14 | 4–5 Good to Very good | Sept 2025 |
| Salen Primary Pre Five UnitPA72 6JG · CS2003014660 | Isle of Mull | Council | 42 | 4 Good | Feb 2023 |
| Tobermory Pre Five UnitPA75 6PB · CS2009233100 | Isle of Mull | Council | 29 | 4–5 Good to Very good | Jul 2026 |
| Tiree Primary Pre Five UnitPA77 6XA · CS2003014675 | Isle of Tiree | Council | 22 | 5 Very good | Oct 2023 |
| Kirn Primary Pre Five UnitPA23 8EH · CS2003014655 | Kirn | Council | 40 | 5 Very good | Feb 2026 |
| Ardrishaig Early Learning and ChildcarePA30 8HF · CS2015338311 | Lochgilphead | Council | 20 | 4 Good | Nov 2025 |
| Bloomfield Childcare LochgilpheadPA31 8SF · CS2025000198 | Lochgilphead | Private | 58 | 3–4 Adequate to Good | Feb 2026 |
| Craignish Primary Pre Five UnitPA31 8QN · CS2006118133 | Lochgilphead | Council | 16 | 3–5 Adequate to Very good | May 2026 |
| Kilmartin Primary Pre Five UnitPA31 8QF · CS2003014652 | Lochgilphead | Council | 24 | 4 Good | Sept 2025 |
| Lochgilphead Primary Pre Five UnitPA31 8AA · CS2007163757 | Lochgilphead | Council | 28 | 4–5 Good to Very good | Sept 2020 |
| MAKI PupsPA31 8RR · CS2019376962 | Lochgilphead | Voluntary | 24 | 4 Good | Jan 2022 |
| Tayvallich Primary Pre Five UnitPA31 8PW · CS2003014671 | Lochgilphead | Council | 11 | 5 Very good | Aug 2020 |
| Dunbeg Primary Pre Five UnitPA37 1QF · CS2003014641 | Oban | Council | 40 | 4–5 Good to Very good | Mar 2025 |
| Easdale Primary Pre Five UnitPA34 4RF · CS2003014644 | Oban | Council | 12 | 5 Very good | Feb 2020 |
| Lismore Primary Pre Five UnitPA34 5UG · CS2003014656 | Oban | Council | 6 | 4–5 Good to Very good | Aug 2019 |
| Lochnell Pre Five Nursery UnitPA37 1QS · CS2004080537 | Oban | Council | 32 | 4 Good | Apr 2024 |
| Oban's 1st Steps Day Nursery Ltd.PA34 5JL · CS2003003167 | Oban | Private | 61 | 3–4 Adequate to Good | Sept 2025 |
| Park Primary Family Learning CentrePA34 5AU · CS2013315648 | Oban | Council | 20 | 5 Very good | Jul 2017 |
| Rockfield Primary Pre Five Unit.PA34 4SB · CS2007157135 | Oban | Council | 40 | 4–5 Good to Very good | Jan 2026 |
| Soroba Young Family CentrePA34 4YH · CS2003003138 | Oban | Voluntary | 40 | 4–5 Good to Very good | Apr 2026 |
| Stramash Outdoor NurseryPA34 5TU · CS2011301594 | Oban | Voluntary | 40 | 4–5 Good to Very good | Aug 2025 |
| Willowview Early Learning and ChildcarePA34 4SB · CS2021000207 | Oban | Council | 64 | 4 Good | Jul 2023 |
| Rhunahaorine Primary Pre Five UnitPA29 6XG · CS2003014659 | Tarbert | Council | 15 | 3–5 Adequate to Very good | Dec 2025 |
| Tarbert Pre Five UnitPA29 6TE · CS2003016887 | Tarbert | Council | 32 | 4–5 Good to Very good | Mar 2019 |
| Taynuilt Primary Pre Five UnitPA35 1JE · CS2003014670 | Taynuilt | Council | 24 | 3–4 Adequate to Good | Jun 2025 |
| Tighnabruaich Primary Pre Five UnitPA21 2BE · CS2003014673 | Tighnabruaich | Council | 29 | 3–4 Adequate to Good | Jan 2026 |
Childcare costs in Argyll and Bute
Under-3 full-time
~£240
per week (private)
Funded hours saving
~£5,500
per year (age 3+)
Tax-Free Childcare
20%
top-up (max £2,000/yr)
The average weekly cost for an under-3 in a full-time private nursery place in Argyll and Bute is approximately £240. Once your child turns 3 (from the term after their birthday), the 1,140 funded hours kick in — worth around £5,500 per year and significantly reducing your net cost. You may also be eligible for Tax-Free Childcare (20% government top-up on costs above the funded hours) and Universal Credit childcare element.
Nearby council nursery guides
Related guides
Frequently asked questions about nurseries in Argyll and Bute
When can I apply for a council nursery place in Argyll and Bute?
Argyll and Bute Council typically opens applications in December for children starting the following August. Contact the council or your preferred nursery directly to confirm the exact window for the current cycle.
How are the 1,140 funded hours delivered in Argyll and Bute?
Argyll and Bute offers term-time or stretched delivery. You can choose term-time (around 30 hours/week for 38 weeks) or stretched delivery (around 22 hours/week for 52 weeks) depending on what works for your family.
Does my child have to use a council nursery for their funded hours in Argyll and Bute?
No — your child can use any nursery or childminder on Argyll and Bute's funded partner provider list. All council nurseries qualify automatically. Check with individual private nurseries and childminders to confirm they are registered as partner providers before committing.
How much does a full-time nursery place cost in Argyll and Bute for an under-3?
Full-time private nursery places for children under 3 in Argyll and Bute cost around £240 per week on average (2025/26 data). This is before any funded hours or Tax-Free Childcare discount. Funded hours (from age 3) can reduce this significantly — in practice most families pay only top-up fees above the funded amount.
How many registered nurseries are there in Argyll and Bute?
74 nurseries, playgroups and children-and-family centres in Argyll and Bute are registered with the Care Inspectorate — 55 run by the council, 10 private and 9 voluntary. 62 of the 73 with published grades scored Good or better on every key question at their latest inspection. The full list, with each service's latest grades and a link to its inspection reports, is on this page.
What is the Care Inspectorate and how do I check a nursery's rating?
The Care Inspectorate is Scotland's independent regulator for care services, including all nurseries and childminders. It inspects services and gives grades from 1 (Unsatisfactory) to 6 (Excellent) across key areas including the quality of care and support, the environment, leadership, and staffing. You can search all registered services in Argyll and Bute at the Care Inspectorate website — look for grades of 4 (Good) or above.
Are two-year-olds eligible for funded hours in Argyll and Bute?
Some two-year-olds qualify for funded hours in Scotland through the 'eligible two-year-old' route. Eligibility is based on family circumstances — children in care, those with a child protection plan, or those whose parents receive certain benefits may qualify for up to 600 hours from age 2. Contact Argyll and Bute Council's early years team to check your child's eligibility.
Last updated May 2026.
Average nursery costs from Coram Childcare Survey 2026 and Care Inspectorate service data. Funded hours information from Scottish Government ELC Statistics 2025. Always confirm application dates and partner provider status directly with Argyll and Bute Council. See our editorial policy.