West Scotland · Early Years
Nurseries in Renfrewshire
Renfrewshire — covering Paisley, Renfrew, Johnstone and Erskine — has a strong council nursery network embedded in primary schools. Private costs are moderate, sitting between Glasgow and East Renfrewshire. The council has expanded its partner provider list significantly since 2021.
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~£250/wk
Avg cost under-3
1,140 hrs
Funded hours/year
Term-time or stretched
Funded delivery
November
Apply from
Apply for a nursery place in Renfrewshire
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 Renfrewshire, applications for council nursery places typically open in November 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 Renfrewshire
Renfrewshire 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 Renfrewshire'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 Renfrewshire Council for partner listCare Inspectorate ratings for Renfrewshire 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 Renfrewshire nurseries on Care InspectorateEvery registered nursery in Renfrewshire
74 registered nurseries, playgroups and children-and-family centres in Renfrewshire — 38 council-run, 27 private and 9 voluntary. Of the 74 with published grades, 68 scored Good or better on every key question at their latest inspection and 2 scored Weak or Unsatisfactory on at least one; 0 have not yet been graded. 33 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cairellot Nursery LtdPA7 5AW · CS2006118166 | Bishopton | Private | 189 | 5–6 Very good to Excellent | Sept 2021 |
| Dargavel Early Learning and Childcare CentrePA7 5HQ · CS2021000295 | Bishopton | Council | 72 | 4 Good | Jan 2024 |
| Thrive Childcare and Education Happitots ErskinePA7 5PU · CS2005107944 | Bishopton | Private | 70 | 2–3 Weak to Adequate | Jul 2026 |
| Bridge of Weir Early Learning and Childcare ClassPA11 3QB · CS2006128459 | Bridge of Weir | Council | 58 | 5 Very good | Jan 2024 |
| Rivendale NurseryPA11 3PX · CS2011280672 | Bridge of Weir | Private | 51 | 3 Adequate | Oct 2025 |
| Carli's Kindergarten LtdPA8 7ED · CS2007149789 | Erskine | Private | 58 | 4–5 Good to Very good | Dec 2021 |
| Erskine Community Nursery - BargarranPA8 6BS · CS2014332202 | Erskine | Voluntary | 20 | 4 Good | Jan 2026 |
| Erskine Community Nursery - St Anne'sPA8 7AE · CS2014332198 | Erskine | Voluntary | 18 | 3–5 Adequate to Very good | Mar 2026 |
| Little Panda's NurseryPA8 7AF · CS2020380809 | Erskine | Private | 160 | 4–5 Good to Very good | Jan 2026 |
| St Anne's Early Learning and Childcare ClassPA8 7AE · CS2003014763 | Erskine | Council | 72 | 4 Good | Mar 2025 |
| St John Bosco Early Learning and Childcare ClassPA8 6BX · CS2003014777 | Erskine | Council | 100 | 4–5 Good to Very good | Nov 2019 |
| Little Stars HillingtonG52 4LY · CS2013319493 | Glasgow | Private | 78 | 4 Good | Jun 2025 |
| Puddle LaneG52 4JW · CS2021000070 | Glasgow | Voluntary | 65 | 4 Good | Aug 2025 |
| Abbey Nursery HoustonPA6 7ET · CS2009232874 | Houston | Private | 92 | 4 Good | Apr 2025 |
| Auchenlodment Early Learning and Childcare ClassPA5 9QQ · CS2003014751 | Johnstone | Council | 71 | 5 Very good | Oct 2021 |
| Gleniffer NurseryPA5 8PD · CS2003005000 | Johnstone | Private | 45 | 2–4 Weak to Good | Jul 2026 |
| Gryffe Manor NurseryPA6 7BA · CS2017360728 | Johnstone | Private | 84 | 5 Very good | Jul 2026 |
| Houston Early Learning and Childcare ClassPA6 7EJ · CS2003014759 | Johnstone | Council | 64 | 5 Very good | Feb 2020 |
| Kilbarchan Community NurseryPA10 2LA · CS2015337344 | Johnstone | Voluntary | 56 | 4–5 Good to Very good | Dec 2022 |
| Mid Gavin NurseryPA9 1DL · CS2009195007 | Johnstone | Private | 110 | 3–4 Adequate to Good | Feb 2026 |
| Spateston Early Learning and Childcare CentrePA5 0SA · CS2003014778 | Johnstone | Council | 124 | 5–6 Very good to Excellent | May 2023 |
| St Margaret's Early Learning and Childcare ClassPA5 8RX · CS2003014775 | Johnstone | Council | 87 | 4 Good | Mar 2026 |
| Stepping StonesPA5 8HE · CS2003034567 | Johnstone | Private | 38 | 4–5 Good to Very good | Oct 2025 |
| Wallace Early Learning and Childcare ClassPA5 9AW · CS2003014773 | Johnstone | Council | 54 | 5 Very good | Dec 2019 |
| West Johnstone Early Learning and Childcare CentrePA5 0BB · CS2003014792 | Johnstone | Council | 92 | 5 Very good | Nov 2019 |
| East Fulton Early Learning and Childcare ClassPA3 3SG · CS2003014754 | Linwood | Council | 74 | 4 Good | Feb 2024 |
| Our Lady of Peace Early Learning and Childcare ClassPA3 3PR · CS2008173283 | Linwood | Council | 58 | 5 Very good | Nov 2022 |
| Riverbrae Early Learning and Childcare CentrePA3 3DP · CS2003014788 | Linwood | Council | 20 | 4–5 Good to Very good | Apr 2026 |
| Lochwinnoch Early Learning and Childcare ClassPA12 4DG · CS2003014760 | Lochwinnoch | Council | 48 | 4–5 Good to Very good | Apr 2024 |
| Abbey NurseryPA1 2RE · CS2008186651 | Paisley | Private | 90 | 3 Adequate | Apr 2026 |
| Abbeymill Childcare LtdPA1 1JS · CS2003054842 | Paisley | Private | 98 | 4 Good | Dec 2025 |
| Bushes Early Learning and Childcare ClassPA2 8DW · CS2003014752 | Paisley | Council | 50 | 5 Very good | Nov 2022 |
| Carli's Kindergarten LtdPA3 3AJ · CS2021383142 | Paisley | Private | 65 | 4 Good | May 2023 |
| Carriagehill NurseryPA2 6JG · CS2003004889 | Paisley | Private | 39 | 4 Good | Aug 2023 |
| Carriagehill Nursery Green RoadPA2 9AB · CS2003043988 | Paisley | Private | 50 | 4 Good | Jun 2026 |
| Douglas Street Early Learning and Childcare CentrePA1 2PJ · CS2003014781 | Paisley | Council | 43 | 5 Very good | Aug 2023 |
| Ferguslie Early Learning and Childcare CentrePA3 1NT · CS2003014782 | Paisley | Council | 93 | 4–5 Good to Very good | Jan 2025 |
| Foxlea Early Learning and Childcare CentrePA2 9FA · CS2003014783 | Paisley | Council | 96 | 4 Good | Jan 2024 |
| Gallowhill Early Learning and Childcare ClassPA3 4SF · CS2003014757 | Paisley | Council | 50 | 4–5 Good to Very good | Jan 2026 |
| Glenburn Early Learning and Childcare CentrePA2 8HH · CS2003014784 | Paisley | Council | 71 | 4–5 Good to Very good | Nov 2025 |
| Glencoats Lodge NurseryPA3 1LU · CS2016351379 | Paisley | Private | 39 | 4 Good | Apr 2026 |
| Glenfield Early Learning and Childcare CentrePA2 8QE · CS2003014785 | Paisley | Council | 79 | 4 Good | Apr 2024 |
| Happitots Nursery - Glasgow AirportPA3 2TQ · CS2003004824 | Paisley | Private | 95 | 4 Good | Jul 2024 |
| Heriot Early Learning and Childcare ClassPA2 0DS · CS2003014758 | Paisley | Council | 40 | 4–5 Good to Very good | Nov 2025 |
| Hillview Early Learning and Childcare CentrePA3 1EX · CS2018372189 | Paisley | Council | 38 | 4 Good | Nov 2021 |
| Hugh Smiley Early Learning and Childcare CentrePA1 2UN · CS2003014786 | Paisley | Council | 55 | 5 Very good | Oct 2022 |
| Jennyswell NurseryPA2 7BH · CS2003004793 | Paisley | Private | 64 | 4–5 Good to Very good | Dec 2021 |
| Leaps and Bounds NurseryPA1 1PX · CS2003053457 | Paisley | Private | 96 | 5 Very good | May 2021 |
| Linwood Community ChildcarePA3 3EX · CS2003004944 | Paisley | Voluntary | 132 | 5 Very good | Sept 2023 |
| Little LearnersPA3 4AL · CS2010273088 | Paisley | Private | 67 | 4–5 Good to Very good | Apr 2026 |
| Lochfield Early Learning and Childcare CentrePA2 7GJ · CS2021000046 | Paisley | Council | 40 | 5 Very good | Jul 2023 |
| Maxwellton Park Nursery & OSCPA1 2RL · CS2003004849 | Paisley | Voluntary | 46 | 4–5 Good to Very good | Sept 2025 |
| Mossvale Early Learning and Childcare ClassPA3 2QB · CS2004064405 | Paisley | Council | 50 | 4 Good | Sept 2021 |
| Nursery TimesPA2 6LN · CS2010274766 | Paisley | Private | 88 | 4 Good | Dec 2021 |
| Orchard Grove NurseryPA1 1UZ · CS2005107800 | Paisley | Private | 77 | 4 Good | Jun 2023 |
| Paisley Early Learning and Childcare CentrePA1 2JJ · CS2003014791 | Paisley | Council | 92 | 4 Good | Oct 2023 |
| Rainbow Nursery - PaisleyPA3 2NN · CS2003004867 | Paisley | Voluntary | 45 | 4–5 Good to Very good | Nov 2024 |
| Ralston Early Learning and Childcare ClassPA1 3AT · CS2003014762 | Paisley | Council | 56 | 4–5 Good to Very good | Aug 2026 |
| St Catherine's Early Learning and Childcare ClassPA3 4RG · CS2003014764 | Paisley | Council | 79 | 5 Very good | Apr 2023 |
| St Charles' Early Learning and Childcare ClassPA2 6RU · CS2003014765 | Paisley | Council | 73 | 4 Good | Jul 2023 |
| St Mary's Early Learning and Childcare ClassPA1 2RJ · CS2003014768 | Paisley | Council | 52 | 4–5 Good to Very good | May 2022 |
| St Peter's Early Learning and Childcare ClassPA2 8DZ · CS2003014769 | Paisley | Council | 42 | 4 Good | Oct 2022 |
| Todholm Early Learning and Childcare ClassPA2 7JE · CS2003014770 | Paisley | Council | 64 | 5 Very good | Feb 2020 |
| West Early Learning and Childcare ClassPA1 2RL · CS2003014771 | Paisley | Council | 30 | 4–5 Good to Very good | Jun 2022 |
| Williamsburgh Early Learning and Childcare ClassPA1 1QF · CS2003014774 | Paisley | Council | 64 | 4–5 Good to Very good | Apr 2024 |
| 3 Bears Nursery - RenfrewPA4 8LH · CS2006118768 | Renfrew | Private | 106 | 4 Good | Apr 2022 |
| Bright Starts NurseryPA4 9RJ · CS2010239163 | Renfrew | Private | 100 | 4 Good | Mar 2024 |
| Cherrie Children DaycarePA4 8FD · CS2003004978 | Renfrew | Voluntary | 58 | 4–5 Good to Very good | Nov 2021 |
| Glendee Early Learning and Childcare CentrePA4 0AD · CS2003017348 | Renfrew | Council | 124 | 4–5 Good to Very good | Jan 2022 |
| In Safe HandsPA4 8ET · CS2013319854 | Renfrew | Private | 66 | 4–5 Good to Very good | Mar 2026 |
| Inchinnan Community NurseryPA4 9PH · CS2003004816 | Renfrew | Voluntary | 22 | 4–5 Good to Very good | Oct 2025 |
| Kirklandneuk Early Learning and Childcare CentrePA4 9DE · CS2021000074 | Renfrew | Council | 56 | 4–5 Good to Very good | Jan 2024 |
| Little Flowers NurseryPA4 8UA · CS2005099039 | Renfrew | Private | 80 | 4 Good | Apr 2024 |
| Moorpark Early Learning and Childcare CentrePA4 8HJ · CS2003014789 | Renfrew | Council | 133 | 4–5 Good to Very good | Oct 2025 |
Childcare costs in Renfrewshire
Under-3 full-time
~£250
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 Renfrewshire is approximately £250. 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 Renfrewshire
When can I apply for a council nursery place in Renfrewshire?
Renfrewshire Council typically opens applications in November 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 Renfrewshire?
Renfrewshire 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 Renfrewshire?
No — your child can use any nursery or childminder on Renfrewshire'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 Renfrewshire for an under-3?
Full-time private nursery places for children under 3 in Renfrewshire cost around £250 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 Renfrewshire?
74 nurseries, playgroups and children-and-family centres in Renfrewshire are registered with the Care Inspectorate — 38 run by the council, 27 private and 9 voluntary. 68 of the 74 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 Renfrewshire at the Care Inspectorate website — look for grades of 4 (Good) or above.
Are two-year-olds eligible for funded hours in Renfrewshire?
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 Renfrewshire 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 Renfrewshire Council. See our editorial policy.