Pre-School Information

Pre-school Education Admissions Process 2010-11

The pre-school education application process for 2010-11 is now closed and the allocation process is underway. If you still wish to apply, please contact the pre-school setting of your choice directly. Applications received will be considered after 14 May 2010.

Pre-school education entitlement

The national pre-school education entitlement is five sessions weekly during termtime.

Every child is entitled to a free part-time education place from a date following their third birthday.

Admission to pre-school education is according to the child’s date of birth and at the following times:

August 2010: to commence this term a child must be three years old by 31 August 2010. However, a child cannot commence pre-school education until their third birthday. This means, for example, that a child who is three years old on 26 August 2010 cannot commence pre-school education until that date.
January 2011: a child must be three years old by 31 December 2010 to commence pre-school education in January 2011.
April 2011: a child must be three years old by 28 February 2011 to commence pre-school education after Easter 2011.

Accessing pre-school education

Aberdeenshire Council’s 3 – 18 Curriculum Framework supports schools and learning communities in organising, scheduling and delivering consistent learning experiences that meet the entitlements and needs of individual learners from age 3 years to 18 years.

Aberdeenshire Council establishes a culture of respect, care and ambition for our children and young people.

In Aberdeenshire pre-school education is provided in nursery classes attached to some primary schools, and in commissioned playgroups and private day nurseries. All pre-school settings are regulated by HM Inspectorate of Education and the Care Commission, and are quality assured by Aberdeenshire Council.

Aberdeenshire pre-school settings offer the following:

Staff who recognise that you are the biggest influence on your child’s development.
Welcoming and inclusive experiences that are planned to build on the individual talents and needs of your child.
Effective learning and teaching that makes your child’s learning creative, relevant, lively, active and fun.
Smooth transition experiences that support your child with the development of their social and emotional skills

Information on the location and contact details of all pre-school settings across Aberdeenshire is provided in the booklet Selecting Pre-School Education for your Child.

If you choose to access pre-school education in a private day nursery, any hours attended by your child outwith the statutory entitlement will be funded by yourself. In a private day nursery you can access the child’s full entitlement over 2.5 days; there must be a minimum of one hour between the morning and the afternoon session.

Application forms and leaflets (Applying for Pre-School Education for Your Child and Selecting Pre-School Education for Your Child) are available from all pre-school settings. In addition you can download the leaflets below.

Applying for Pre-School Education for Your Child

Selecting Pre-School Education for Your Child

For further information about pre-school education please contact your pre-school setting of first choice. If they are unable to answer your query please contact one of the helplines below.

Banff & Mintlaw Networks

Shona Murray
Admin Assistant
Banff & Buchan EL&L Office
St Leonards
Sandyhill Road
Banff
AB45 1TA

Tel: 01261 813340
Fax: 01261 813396

E-mail: preschool.north@aberdeenshire.gov.uk

Peterhead Network

Katrine Duncan
Admin Assistant
Buchan EL&L Office
Old Infant Building
Prince Street
Peterhead
AB42 1PL

Tel: 01779 483131
Fax: 01779 470390

E-mail: preschool.north@aberdeenshire.gov.uk

Fraserburgh Network

Gillian Barker
Admin Assistant
Fraserburgh EL&L Office
Dover Lodge
117 Charlotte Street

Fraserburgh AB43 9LS

Tel: 01346 515303
Fax: 01346 512377