Pre-school education

What is pre-school education?

Funded part-time pre-school education is available to all children before they begin primary school. This is usually available from the term after their third birthday.

Children can have up to 5 part-time sessions a week in a maximum of two centres, such as local authority nursery school, nursery class or an approved partnership centre.

Your first choice may not always be available but a place will be guaranteed for your child as long as you are resident in Midlothian. Children with additional support needs are given priority.

Enrolling your child

When your child reaches the age of 2, you can put their name on the waiting list of the pre-school nursery school, class, or partnership centre of your choice. You can put your child's name on more than one waiting list. All pre-school providers deal with their own applications.

Your choice of provider will not affect the primary school your child moves on to as pre-school education centres do not have catchment areas.

Pre-school education in an approved partnership centre

A partnership centre may be a private nursery or a voluntary sector playgroup commissioned by Midlothian Council to provide pre-school education.

Hawthorn Children and Families Centre is also a partnership centre that offers pre-school education places for vulnerable children.

Approved partnership centres

• Abacus Nursery, Dalkeith, Tel: 0131 660 4567
• Forest Friends Nursery, Roslin, Tel: 0131 440 4900
• Clover Country Nursery, Tel: 01875 833375
• Glencorse Nursery, Penicuik, Tel: 07816 279188
• Happy Days Nursery, Dalkeith, Tel: 0131 663 4280
• Hawthorn Children and Families Centre, Midlothian, Tel: 0131 271 3116
• Little Hawthorn Nursery, Loanhead, Tel: 0131 440 3057
• Milton Bridge Nursery, Penicuik, Tel: 01968 679285
• Newbattle  Pre-school Centre, Newtongrange, Tel: 0131 663 6055
• Pinocchio's Children's Nursery, Eskbank, Tel: 0131 654 0070
• Pinocchio's Children's Nursery, Lasswade, Tel: 0131 654 2914
• Pinocchio's Children's Nursery, Penicuik, Tel: 01968 679007
• Wizkidz Nursery, Newtongrange, Tel: 0131 660 0077

• Pre-school education leaflet