Guides · Childcare money · Grants
Best Start Grant Early Learning Payment when to apply
When can I apply for the Early Learning Payment?
mygov.scot’s family-payments table says: apply when your child is aged between 2 and 3 years 6 months old. Citizens Advice Scotland calls that span the application window — from the second birthday until the date they are 3 and a half.
UK round-ups often stop at the newborn Pregnancy and Baby Payment. The Early Learning Payment is the second Best Start Grant bite. It is a cash payment you can spend on clothes, toys or trips — not a nursery hours offer.
Citizens Advice says a late application is only discussed in two official exceptions: you were waiting for a decision about a qualifying benefit, or you missed the window because of coronavirus. Do not treat “I forgot” as a late-claim route.
Do I need a nursery place?
No. mygov.scot says: to get this payment your child does not need to go to nursery. Parent Club repeats that you can spend the money on shoes, travel or toys. This article is not about 30 hours, funded early learning, or a working-parent entitlement — those are separate Scottish and UK childcare schemes.
How much is the official Early Learning Payment?
Swipe sideways for the full table
| Payment | Official amount | When mygov.scot says you can apply |
|---|---|---|
| Early Learning Payment | £331.95 per child | Child aged 2 to 3 years 6 months |
| School Age Payment (pointer only) | £331.95 per child | In the year the child is first old enough to start primary school — see birth-year windows below |
| Pregnancy and Baby Payment (context) | £796.65 first child under 16; £398.35 a later child | From the end of 24 weeks of pregnancy until the baby is 6 months, or up to the day before the first birthday if you have taken over looking after a child |
You can get Early Learning Payment for more than one child if each child is the right age when you apply. Social Security Scotland usually pays each grant once per child; mygov.scot notes an extra payment can be made if responsibility moves to a new kinship carer or adoptive parent inside the same window.
How do I apply — or is it paid automatically?
Parent Club says you do not need to apply for Early Learning Payment or School Age Payment if you already get Scottish Child Payment for that child — Social Security Scotland pays automatically when the child is the right age. Citizens Advice is more precise: if you get Scottish Child Payment, Social Security Scotland usually checks once the child is old enough, and sends a text or email, unless you opted out of automatic checks when you applied for Scottish Child Payment.
- See whether Scottish Child Payment is already in payment If it is, watch for the Social Security Scotland text or email. Parent Club says the Early Learning Payment is then paid without a new form. If you opted out of automatic checks, you still need to apply inside the age window.
- If you do not get Scottish Child Payment, apply in the window Use mygov.scot, call 0800 182 2222 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm), or post a paper form. You can apply for Best Start Grant and Best Start Foods on the same form.
- Check you still meet the benefit or age exceptions mygov.scot’s usual list includes Universal Credit, Housing Benefit, Income Support, Pension Credit, income-based JSA and income-related ESA. Parent Club notes you might still qualify without Scottish Child Payment if you are under 18, you are 18 or 19 and someone gets benefits for you, or you get Housing Benefit. Under-18s do not need a qualifying benefit.
- Apply yourself if you are under 18 mygov.scot says an under-18 must apply for Early Learning Payment or School Age Payment themselves (a parent or carer can apply for Pregnancy and Baby Payment or Best Start Foods on their behalf).
Child Benefit on its own is not an accepted benefit for Best Start Grant on the mygov.scot “who should apply” page. You normally need one of the listed income-related benefits, or an under-18 / 18–19 dependent exception.
What if I already get Scottish Child Payment?
That is the missed-second-bite case Parent Club is written for. Keep your mobile and email details up to date with Social Security Scotland so the automatic check can reach you. If nothing arrives and the child is inside 2 to 3 years 6 months, apply anyway — Citizens Advice says you can apply from the second birthday until they are 3 and a half if Social Security Scotland does not run the automatic check.
When is the School Age Payment window?
School Age Payment is a different Best Start Grant. Mention it only so you do not miss the next official window. mygov.scot (updated 10 August 2026) sets the amount at £331.95 and ties the dates to the child’s birth year. The child does not have to take up a school place. Windows that have already closed cannot be reopened on that page.
Swipe sideways for the full table
| Child’s date of birth | When you can apply |
|---|---|
| 1 March 2021 to 28 February 2022 | 1 June 2026 to 28 February 2027 |
| 1 March 2022 to 28 February 2023 | 1 June 2027 to 29 February 2028 |
| 1 March 2020 to 28 February 2021 | mygov.scot says these dates have passed |
In shortDiary the child’s second birthday and the day they turn 3 years 6 months. If Scottish Child Payment is already in payment and you did not opt out, watch for the automatic check. Otherwise apply in that window. Nursery is not part of the test. School Age Payment is a later, separate birth-year window.
Questions parents ask
- Is the Early Learning Payment the same as 30 hours of funded childcare?
- No. It is a one-off Best Start Grant cash payment. mygov.scot says the child does not need to go to nursery. Funded early learning hours in Scotland are a different scheme.
- Can I get it if someone else has already been paid for the same child?
- Citizens Advice says usually only one Early Learning Payment is made per child. A second payment is discussed only if you have taken over responsibility — for example adoption or kinship care — and the child is still aged between 2 and 3 and a half.
- I get Housing Benefit but not Scottish Child Payment. Can I still apply?
- Parent Club lists Housing Benefit, and being under 18 or 18–19 and dependent on someone who gets benefits for you, as situations where you might still qualify for Early Learning Payment without Scottish Child Payment. Check the live mygov.scot “who should apply” list before you assume a refusal.
- What if I am waiting for a Universal Credit decision?
- Citizens Advice says you can still apply. A Universal Credit-related Early Learning Payment decision is held until the end of the first Universal Credit assessment period. If you are waiting for another benefit, the claim may be held for 10 days and you may need to apply again once that benefit is decided.
Sources
Official pages first. If this page and the official page disagree, the official page wins.
- mygov.scot — Best Start Grant and Best Start Foods (£331.95; age 2 to 3 years 6 months) — checked 10 September 2026
- mygov.scot — who should apply (qualifying benefits; under-18 rules) — checked 10 September 2026
- Citizens Advice Scotland — check if you can get the Early Learning Payment — checked 10 September 2026
- Parent Club — Best Start Grant and Best Start Foods (automatic if you get Scottish Child Payment) — checked 10 September 2026
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