Nurseries in Aberdeenshire

Private nurseries in Aberdeenshire typically accept children from around 3 months old, depending on staffing and space. Funded council nursery places generally begin from age 3, depending on eligibility and session availability.

In Scotland, all children are entitled to 1,140 hours of funded Early Learning and Childcare per year from the term after their 3rd birthday. Eligible 2 year olds may also qualify based on income, disability or care-experience criteria. Funding can be used with private nurseries, council nurseries, childminders and blended placements. Aberdeenshire Council oversees admissions and allocation of funded hours. Parents can also use Tax-Free Childcare, giving a 20% government top-up on childcare costs up to £2,000 per child per year.

Private nursery fees in Aberdeenshire typically range from £55–£75 per day, with higher costs found in commuter towns such as Westhill, Inverurie and Banchory. Rural settings can be slightly lower but may have limited places.

All nurseries in Aberdeenshire are regulated by the Care Inspectorate. Aberdeenshire Council oversees funded ELC delivery and partnership provider agreements.

Ask about outdoor access, delivery of funded hours, wraparound availability, meal arrangements, staff qualifications, waiting list times and how the nursery supports transitions to primary school.