Application packs are available from Monday, November 19 for parents and carers of pre-school children for places in Aberdeenshire Council nursery classes and in approved independent playgroups and private day nurseries.

Parents should request an application pack from one of the providers listed in the pack and submit an application directly to their preferred choice.

Every child in Aberdeenshire is entitled to five free education sessions per week in 2.5hr blocks during term time from the term after their third birthday.

In Aberdeenshire, pre-school children are admitted to local authority run nurseries at three points of the year running up to Spring 2014 as follows:

• August 2013 for children who will be three by 31 August 2013
• January 2014 for children who will be three by 31 December 2013
• April 2014 for children who will be three by 28 February 2014

Parents are asked to submit application forms by no later than Monday, December 10 for those children wishing to access local authority nurseries.

Parents wishing to access places at approved independent playgroups and private day nurseries should submit an application form directly to their choice of approved pre-school provider. This can be submitted at any point during the year.

All of the groups listed are inspected by Education Scotland and the Care Inspectorate, as well as being quality assured by the council.