Applications will open on Monday 3 November 2025 for parents/guardians of children due to access a place in an Early Childhood Centre from January 2026, parents/guardians who missed the August deadline can also apply - please note this is only paid once per academic year, any parent applying who have already received the grant this academic year will be declined.
Applications will remain open until 4pm on Friday 21 November. Anyone missing the deadline will not be able to apply until the applications re-open in February 2026.
Payment of the grant will be the week of 22 December 2025.
Additional funding has been allocated for the financial year 2025-26 and a clothing grant of £75 is now available to eligible three and four year olds attending early learning and childcare (ELC) setting within East Ayrshire.
The clothing grant will be offered in three phases:
- during June prior to August 2025 start date
- during November prior to January 2026 start date
- during February prior to April 2026 start date
Please wait until your ELC place has been confirmed before making an application for the clothing grant.
Eligibility criteria
A one-off payment of £75 will be payable for each eligible child whose family circumstances meet the criteria below:
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseekers Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Universal Credit where monthly earned income is up to £1,560
- Council Tax Reduction/Housing Benefit
- Support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
Supporting evidence
When you apply you will be asked to provide supporting evidence of eligibility in the form of a screenshot or photo. This is required as part of your application. Please make sure you have your evidence ready as you won’t be able to complete your application without it.
You will also be asked to provide your bank details so we can issue your payment by BACS. Again, this will be in the form of a screenshot or photo and is required as part of your application. Please make sure that this also clearly shows your name and address or your payment may be delayed.