Pre School and Early Years Information

Pre-School provision

In order to meet its statutory provision of a funded place for every 3 and 4 year old, the Schools Service operates 22 nursery classes and works in partnership with 6 commissioned groups or “partner providers”.

The nursery classes are all attached to Primary Schools or Junior High Schools throughout Shetland and the partner providers can be found both in Lerwick and in the rural areas.

Each provider offers the 2.5 hour funded session and some nursery classes run 2 of these sessions each day. One nursery class in Bells Brae Primary school, Lerwick offers an extended session for which parents pay an added cost. 2 partner providers in Lerwick and 1 in Scalloway offer extended provision at extra cost. Blydehaven Nursery in Lerwick runs all day childcare for 3 and 4 year olds and the nursey class in Mossbank provides all day care for children from 2 years.

Details of preschool provision can be found here

Parents and carers can register their pre-school children for a place, for the following school session, in the provider of choice during Registration Week held in February each year. Completion of this form does not guarentee a place at your preferred centre. Parents and carers can also approach the providers at any time during the year if they are looking for a place for their child. Children are funded for 2.5 hours per day, 5 days per week, 38 weeks per year.

Please select 'Registration Week' for more details.

All centres are supported by the Schools Service and inspected by both the Care Commission and HMIE and work towards the high standards and Quality Indicators prescribed by those regulatory bodies.

All staff have opportunities for training delivered as part of the Schools Service In-Service, dedicated training for early years staff, and training offered through the Shetland Childcare Partnership.

Transport is not provided to these pre-school centres but parents can apply for a grant to the Shetland Childcare Partnership if they are experiencing financial hardship or a parent is in ill health, which affects their ability to access the pre-school place.

Parents and carers are welcomed in all pre-school centres and there are many opportunities for them to be involved in their child’s learning and development as well as contributing to the life of the centre.