1140 hours in Scotland: a plain guide for 2026-27
Who gets funded early learning and childcare, what a funded provider must meet, and how pay and rates work.
Next check of these facts: 15 December 2026
- Every three and four year old, and some two year olds, gets 1140 hours a year of funded early learning and childcare (ELC).
- To offer funded hours, a setting must be a funded provider and meet the National Standard.
- Staff delivering funded ELC in private and third sector settings must be paid at least £13.45 an hour from April 2026.
Who gets 1140 hours
| Age | Who | Hours a year |
|---|---|---|
| 2 years | Eligible two year olds, for example in families getting certain benefits | 1140 |
| 3 and 4 years | Every child | 1140 |
1140 hours is about 30 hours a week in term time, or about 22 hours a week across the whole year. Parents and settings agree how it is spread.
The National Standard
Funded providers must meet the National Standard for early learning and childcare. It covers quality, staffing, pay, and things like outdoor play and meals.
Your local authority checks this when it agrees to fund your setting.
Pay and sustainable rates
Staff delivering funded ELC in private and third sector settings must be paid at least £13.45 an hour from April 2026.
Each council sets a sustainable rate for the funded hours it buys from you, following the Scottish Government's guidance.
What is coming next
The Programme for Government commits to childcare support from nine months old to the end of primary school, with a consultation next year.
Questions
Is 1140 hours the same as England's 30 hours?
Not quite. England's 30 hours is for working parents. Scotland's 1140 hours is for every three and four year old, whatever their parents do.
Who inspects funded settings?
The Care Inspectorate, and HM Inspectorate of Education for early learning and childcare.
Does this apply in England?
No. England's 30 hours is for working parents, from nine months old. Every three and four year old gets 15 hours.
News for EnglandLatest for Scotland
The week in early years: 12 to 16 October 2026
What changed for nurseries and childminders in England and Scotland this week, from the official websites, and the dates coming up.
Over the border: This recap covers England and Scotland together.
Safety alert: only use baby sleeping bags with arm holes and no hood
A UK-wide Product Safety Alert tells childcare settings not to buy or use baby sleeping bags that lack arm holes or have a hood.
Funded places for eligible two-year-olds: Holyrood committee backs the order
A Scottish Parliament committee has recommended approval of an order that protects funded early learning and childcare for eligible two-year-olds in Scotland.
Over the border: This order applies in Scotland only.
Childcare from nine months old: Scotland plans to consult next year
The Programme for Government commits to childcare support from nine months old to the end of primary school.
Over the border: In England, working parents can already get funded hours from nine months old.
Official sources
How this story was made. This story was written with help from AI from the official sources below, then checked and approved by the Hubba Training team before it went live.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Open Government Licence.
Spotted a mistake, or named in a story and want to reply? Email info@hubbatraining.com and we will look at it the same working day.