All Care Inspectorate registered ELC providers based in Dumfries & Galloway Council, Edinburgh City Council and Glasgow City Council.

Eligible parents with a child aged 0-2 years of age, in receipt of Tax Credits/Universal Credit. (This includes eligible parents with children aged 0-2 who wish to access extra hours for their children at ELC providers and are required to pay a deposit for this).

1. EYS will market the scheme to eligible parents and signpost them to the DGS portal on the EYS website.
2. Eligible parents will complete a Parent Request form on the EYS DGS portal to register their interest in the scheme, and select their preferred ELC provider (if the provider is already registered). Eligible parents also have the option to suggest other ELC providers within the 3 pilot scheme areas listed, who will then be invited to join the scheme.
3. The completed Parent Request form goes directly to the ELC provider (if listed) and EYS, or to EYS only, if the provider is not yet registered on the scheme.
4. The ELC provider then contacts the eligible parent to complete the registration process by completing a Parental Application form, including a check of their eligibility for the scheme. The eligible parent would need to provide evidence of their eligibility to participate in the scheme. This form can be completed electronically online by the ELC provider and the eligible parent together, or completed in hard copy and emailed or posted to EYS.
5. If the eligible parent is approved as being eligible for the scheme, the ELC provider agrees a start date with the eligible parent, and EYS and the ELC provider confirm the ELC provider’s deposit amount to be guaranteed by the Scottish Government.
6. If for any reason the eligible parents default on their payments, EYS will reimburse the agreed deposit to the ELC provider. However, the ELC provider must demonstrate that they have taken reasonable steps to recuperate the funds from the eligible parent in the first instance.

Eligible parents can apply to the DGS between 1 April – 30 November 2018. The deposit for the eligible parent is guaranteed for 12 months from when the child starts at your setting. For example, if a child joins your setting on 1 July 2018 their deposit is guaranteed until 30 June 2019. Therefore, if an eligible parent defaults on payment within this 12 month period, you can request the agreed deposit guarantee payment from EYS, after demonstrating that you have made efforts to retrieve the debt from the eligible parent in the first instance.

At the end of the 12 month pilot period the deposit would then expire for this child and eligible parents. If providers will then require a deposit from the eligible parents, this should be discussed with the eligible parents in advance. One option might be to discuss and agree a payment plan with the eligible parents, to let them pay towards their deposit in instalments.

There is a very small amount of additional paperwork required. ELC providers will have to register for the scheme and sign a contract with EYS. ELC providers will also have to register the eligible parents into the scheme and check their eligibility criteria, but this is a similar process to registering children aged 0-2, which many ELC providers may already be involved in. We also need ELC providers to keep track of when eligible parents start and leave their service, and notify EYS of these dates. As always, any information held about eligible parents and children should be done securely. You may also be invited to support the evaluation of the pilot by potentially sending out questionnaires to eligible parents, on behalf of EYS.

ELC providers may see an increase in business as they may be able to fill ELC places that were previously unfilled due to some eligible parents being unable to afford the required deposit, prior to starting with the nursery. ELC providers will also be supporting parents to return to employment or training, and will be contributing to closing the attainment gap by supporting children who may not otherwise have the opportunity to access high quality early learning experiences. ELC providers will also be contributing to understanding how we can collectively improve accessibility of ELC places for a wider majority of children in Scotland.

*Subject to a maximum amount agreed