Apply for a nursery/school place
Register for P1
- Your child can start school in August 2027 if they turn 5 between 01 March 2027 and 29 February 2028.
- P1 notification letters confirming your catchment schools will be sent out at the beginning of November 2026 for children who attend a Midlothian Council funded Early Learning/ Childcare setting or Childminder.
- You must register your child at one of your catchment schools. You can do this online from 16 November to 22 November 2026.
- If you do not receive a P1 notification letter, email pupil.placement@midlothian.gov.uk with your child's full name, date of birth, address and their Early Learning/ Childcare setting or Childminder.
Defer a place
Most children attend school as soon as they are eligible to start. However you may apply to start a year later.
Apply for a non-catchment school
We will try to accommodate your request but it may not be possible, even if your other children attend the requested out of catchment school.
- You must register your child at one of your catchment schools. You can do this online between 16 November and 22 November 2026.
- You can then submit a placing request from 16 November 2026. Requests must be submitted by 15 December 2026.
- To withdraw your placing request, email Pupil Placement Team by 15 March 2027. After this date, the main round of placing decisions will take place and this may mean that a space will not be available at your child’s catchment school, and your child may be placed at an alternative school.
Moving house
Moving house before registering your child for P1
Please contact your child's current setting directly and provide acceptable proof of your new address to change your address details.
Accepted as proof of residency:
- Midlothian Council Tax letter – current tax year
- Gas or Electricity bill – within the last 3 months
- Tenancy agreement, which must be signed and dated by tenant/s and landlord (accepted 4 weeks before entry date)
- Scottish Government Benefit letter
- MOD Assignment Order and March-In date letter
Not accepted as proof of residency:
- Solicitors’ letters
- Concluded Missives
- Plot reservation letters/documents
- Driving Licence
- Court Letters
- Witness Citation’s
- Electoral Letters / Voting Cards
- Bank Statements
- Household Insurance documents
- Hospital Letters
Moving house after registering your child for P1
Please contact Pupil Placement Team with:
- Child’s name and date of birth
- Old address
- New address and proof of residency
Once we receive the above information, we will inform you of relevant catchment changes.
Moving house once your child has started school
If you move house once your child has started school, they can stay at the same school. We don’t withdraw school places after a child has started school, but you will be responsible for transporting your child or children to and from school.
Temporary Address
If you are moving into temporary accommodation, contact the Pupil Placement Team.
Moving into Midlothian
If you move into Midlothian after the November’s registration, you can still register your child.
- If you register by 15 March 2027 you will be notified on or before 30 April 2027.
- If you register after 15 March 2027 you will be notified within 2 months from the date of submission.