North Scotland · Early Years
Nurseries in Highland
Highland Council covers a vast geography from Inverness to the far north and west. Urban Inverness has a range of council and private nurseries; many rural and island communities have only a small council nursery or childminder. The council has invested heavily in partner providers to ensure funded hours are accessible across its dispersed population.
~£235/wk
Avg cost under-3
1,140 hrs
Funded hours/year
Term-time or stretched
Funded delivery
January
Apply from
Apply for a nursery place in Highland
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 Highland, applications for council nursery places typically open in January 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 Highland
Highland 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 Highland'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 Highland Council for partner listCare Inspectorate ratings for Highland 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 Highland nurseries on Care InspectorateChildcare costs in Highland
Under-3 full-time
~£235
per week (private)
Funded hours saving
~£5,500
per year (age 3+)
Tax-Free Childcare
20%
top-up (max £2k/yr)
The average weekly cost for an under-3 in a full-time private nursery place in Highland is approximately £235. 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 Highland
When can I apply for a council nursery place in Highland?
Highland Council typically opens applications in January 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 Highland?
Highland 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 Highland?
No — your child can use any nursery or childminder on Highland'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 Highland for an under-3?
Full-time private nursery places for children under 3 in Highland cost around £235 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.
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 Highland at the Care Inspectorate website — look for grades of 4 (Good) or above.
Are two-year-olds eligible for funded hours in Highland?
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 Highland 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 Highland Council. See our editorial policy.