FROM January Monday January 6, Fife Council is taking applications from parents for places in nurseries in the Cowdenbeath-Lochgelly area.

Parents who are looking for the right place for their child should submit applications for their preferred choices between January 6 and 31.

The council point out that families will soon have more choice and flexibility when it comes to Early Learning and Childcare. From August 2020, provision will nearly double to 1,140 hours for all three and four year-olds and eligible two year-olds.

Families can choose from a range of nurseries, playgroups and childminders partnered with Fife Council. Other benefits include: childcare at different times of the day, and families can choose a blend of more than one provider to meet their childcare needs.

Jacqueline Price, the council's Education Manager, explained: “Applications need to be submitted for every three and four year-old in Fife, including those going into their second year of nursery.

"This will ensure all families have an equal opportunity to select from the new range of choices that will be on offer in each area in Fife, including the communities looked after by the Cowdenbeath Area Committee, from August 2020.”

She added: “High-quality early learning and childcare has a positive impact on children’s experiences and future life chances.

"Nearly doubling provision to 1,140 hours will help provide many children with the best start possible in their learning journey.

"For working parents, the extra hours will help reduce child care costs and for others this could provide an opportunity to take part in study, to get back into work or to help meet the needs of their whole family.”

But the Area Committee heard at their last meeting that applications for 3 and 4 year-olds had to be received by January 31 to be included in the ELC Childcare Admissions Panel meetings to be held in February and March.

These panels will allocate places for the following academic year, which starts in August.

Application forms can be accessed online at www.FifeDirect.org.uk/earlyyears or at council offices.

To find out more about all funded Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) go to www.fife.gov.uk/earlyyears or contact your local nursery.