Early Learning and Childcare charges and exemptions

Nursery charges and exemptions

Where available additional nursery hours may be purchased. The availability of hours and payments should be discussed with the Head of Establishment. Payments for this service are made through ParentPay.

You are entitled to a nursery charges exemption if the child is in receipt of Child Disability Payment or Disability Living Allowance. You should take proof of this benefit to your nursery. Note: you do not need to complete the online form below if you receive either of these benefits.

If you meet the following criteria you may be exempt for nursery charges:

If you or your child has experience of care

Funded early learning and childcare is available for 2 year olds who have experience of care. This includes children who either:
are looked after by the council
are in kinship care
have been appointed a guardian
If you as a parent have experience of care, your 2 year old can also access funded early learning and childcare. If you think you qualify or want more information, contact earlyyears@southlanarkshire.gov.uk.

If you get certain benefits

Your 2 year old can also get funded early learning and childcare if you get one of these benefits:

Income support
Income-based Job Seeker's Allowance
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
Incapacity Benefit
Severe Disablement Allowance
State Pension Credit
Support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 (Support for Asylum Seekers)

If you receive tax credits or Universal Credit, then you can earn a certain amount of money and still be eligible. These income thresholds change annually.

From 1 April 2024, if you are on Child Tax Credit:

but not Working Tax Credit, then your earnings can be £19,995 or less
and Working Tax Credit, then your earnings can be £9,552 a year or less
If you are on Universal Credit, then your 'Income as reported by employer' on your payment statement must be £796 a month or less

Please note: if you are required to provide proof of your income or benefits as part of your application, this must be provided within two weeks of your application being submitted. Your application will be cancelled if the required evidence is not provided within this time.

Early years exemption form

Scottish Child Payment

You may be eligible for the Scottish Child Payment for any child you have under 6 years of age, subject to being in receipt of specific benefits.

Parents can apply as follows:

Online at the MyGov.Scot website
By phone: 0800 182 2222
By post – you can download a form from the MyGov.Scot website and post it to Social Security Scotland (SSS) or you can contact SSS on 0800 182 2222 and ask for a form to be posted to your home address. Once completed you should return this form to: Social Security Scotland, PO Box 27155, Glasgow, G4 7DX. If you need a prepaid envelope, you can call SSS free on 0800 182 2222 and they will send you one.

Further advice on benefits and grants can be found on the MyGov.Scot website.