Publication - Advice and guidance
Early learning and childcare - sustainable rates for funded providers: overview 2024 to 2025
Sets out information provided by local authorities on the sustainable rates they have set for providers in the private, third and childminding sectors to deliver funded ELC in line with guidance published for setting these sustainable rates.
Annex A
Hourly Rates Paid by Local Authorities
- Tables A1 and A2 set out the hourly rates paid by local authorities to funded providers (excluding childminders) for 2 year olds and 3-5 year olds in 2023-24 and 2024-45, as well as the percentage change between the two years. The comments column in both tables include contextual information provided by local authorities regarding rate setting timeframes.
- To provide consistency – and in line with the Funding Follows the Child guidance (i.e. meeting the costs of delivering an hour of ELC to one child) – the rates presented in Tables A1 and A2 do not include any top-ups for the delivery of the free meal commitment and/or for snacks (they are presented separately in Annex B).
- Tables A3 and A4 set out the hourly rates paid by local authorities to childminding providers for 2 year olds and 3-5 year olds in 2023-24 and 2024-45, as well as the percentage change between the two years.
- The 2024-25 guidance set out that all funded ELC providers in the private, and third sector, and all childminders delivering funded ELC, would receive a minimum uplift of 7.6% to the sustainable rate(s) they received in 2023-24.
- Where local authorities have provided the minimum 7.6% uplift in rates they have calculated this by increasing 2023-24 rates by 7.6% and then rounding to the nearest penny. As a result of this rounding effect, in some cases when calculating the percentage increase between 2023-24 and 2024-25 using the rates in tables A1 to A4, a percentage change of 7.5% or 7.7% may be returned (although in the tables the change is shown as 7.6%).
- Where it is clear that local authorities have increased rates beyond the minimum 7.6% the percentage changes are presented to the nearest 1 decimal place.
Table A1: Rates paid to funded providers (excluding childminders) for an hour of Early Learning and Childcare for 3-5 year olds in 2023-24 and 2024-25.
| Council | 2023-24 | 2024-25 | % Change | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aberdeen City | £5.83 | £6.27 | 7.6% | Rates were backdated to 1 April 2024 |
| Aberdeenshire | £6.37 | £6.85 | 7.6% | Rates were backdated to 1 April 2024 |
| Angus | £5.98 | £6.43 | 7.6% | Rates were applied from 8 April 2024. Reduced rates are paid to providers operating from local authority premises (£5.66 per hour for 3-5 year olds). |
| Argyll & Bute | £6.89 | £7.48 | 8.6% | Rates were backdated to 1 April 2024 |
| Clackmannanshire | £5.90 | £6.39 | 8.3% | Rates were backdated to 1 April 2024. |
| Dumfries and Galloway | £6.30 | £6.87 | 9.0% | Rates were agreed in advance and paid from 1 April 2024. |
| Dundee City | £5.59 | £6.03 | 7.9% | Rates were backdated to 1 April 2024 |
| East Ayrshire | £5.50 | £6.00 | 9.1% | Rates were uplifted twice in 2024. Rates increased to £5.92 from 1 April, with separate rates paid for childminders (see Table A3). Rates increased to £6.00 from 1 August, when rates for childminding providers were brought into line with those for private and third sector providers. |
| East Dunbartonshire | £5.89 | £6.34 | 7.6% | Rates were backdated to 1 April 2024 |
| East Lothian | £6.04 | £6.65 | 10.1% | Rates were backdated to 1 April 2024 |
| East Renfrewshire | £5.87 | £6.32 | 7.7% | Rates were backdated to 1 April 2024 |
| Edinburgh | £6.03 | £6.49 | 7.6% | Rates were backdated to 1 April 2024. |
| Eilean Siar | £5.55 | £6.11 | 10.1% | Rates were backdated to 1 April 2024 |
| Falkirk | £6.00 | £6.50 | 8.3% | Rates were backdated to 1 April 2024. |
| Fife | £6.52 | £7.07 | 8.4% | Rates were agreed in advance and paid from 1 April 2024. |
| Glasgow City | £6.00 | £6.46 | 7.6% | Rates were backdated to 1 April 2024 |
| Highland | £5.75 | £6.39 | 11.1% | Rates were agreed in advance and paid from 1 April 2024. |
| Inverclyde | £5.87 | £6.32 | 7.6% | Rates were backdated to 1 April 2024 |
| Midlothian | £6.02 | £6.48 | 7.6% | Rates were backdated to 1 April 2024 |
| Moray | £6.62 | £7.12 | 7.6% | Rates were backdated to 1 April 2024. An interim uplift was applied from February 2024 to £6.90 (an increase of 4.2% from the original 2023-24 rate) prior to the final uplift to £7.12 (an increase of 7.6% from the original 2023-24 rate) which took effect from 1 April 2024. |
| North Ayrshire | £5.76 | £6.51 | 13.0% | Rates were agreed in advance and paid from 1 April 2024. |
| North Lanarkshire | £5.87 | £6.46 | 10.1% | Rates were uplifted twice in 2024. Rates increased to £6.32 from 1 April 2024, and to £6.46 from 1 August 2024. |
| Orkney Islands | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable | Orkney Council do not have any partners other than childminders. Rates for childminders are set out in tables A3 and A4. |
| Perth and Kinross | £5.59 | £6.15 | 10.0% | Rates were uplifted twice in 2024. Rates increased by 7.6% from 1 April 2024, and by a further 2.5% from 1 August 2024. |
| Renfrewshire | £5.97 | £6.45 | 8.0% | Rates were backdated to 1 April 2024 |
| Scottish Borders | £6.83 | £7.41 | 8.5% | Rates were agreed in advance and paid from 1 April 2024. |
| Shetland Islands | £6.49 | £6.99 | 7.7% | Rates were backdated to 1 April 2024. Shetland Islands Council pays a different rate if the provider is not in receipt of their Building Support Package. Funded providers in receipt of Buildings Support Package receive a rate of £6.57 for 3-5 year olds. |
| South Ayrshire | £6.05 | £6.51 | 7.6% | Rates were agreed in advance and paid from 1 April 2024. |
| South Lanarkshire | £5.88 | £6.33 | 7.6% | Rates were backdated to 1 April 2024 |
| Stirling | £6.00 | £6.50 | 8.3% | Rates were backdated to 1 April 2024 |
| West Dunbartonshire | £5.84 | £6.28 | 7.6% | Rates were backdated to 1 April 2024 |
| West Lothian | £6.50 | £7.00 | 7.7% | Rates were agreed in advance and paid from 1 April 2024. |
Table A2: Rates paid to funded providers (excluding childminders) for an hour of Early Learning and Childcare for eligible 2 year olds in 2023-24 and 2024-25.
| Council | 2023-24 | 2024-25 | % Change | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aberdeen City | £6.43 | £6.92 | 7.6% | Rates were backdated to 1 April 2024. |
| Aberdeenshire | £7.22 | £7.77 | 7.6% | Rates were backdated to 1 April 2024. |
| Angus | £7.68 | £8.30 | 8.1% | Rates were applied from 8 April 2024. Reduced rates are paid to providers operating from local authority premises (£7.52 per hour for 2 year olds). Separate rates are paid for childminders (see Table A3). |
| Argyll & Bute | £7.79 | £8.47 | 8.7% | Rates were backdated to 1 April 2024. |
| Clackmannanshire | £6.41 | £6.94 | 8.3% | Rates were backdated to 1 April 2024. |
| Dumfries and Galloway | £7.42 | £8.10 | 9.2% | Rates were agreed in advance and paid from 1 April 2024. |
| Dundee City | £5.90 | £6.37 | 8.0% | Rates were backdated to 1 April 2024. |
| East Ayrshire | £5.50 | £6.15 | 11.8% | Rates were uplifted twice in 2024. Rates increased to £5.92 from 1 April, with separate rates paid for childminders (see Table A3). Rates increased to £6.15 from 1 August, when rates for childminding providers were brought into line with those for private and third sector providers. |
| East Dunbartonshire | £7.09 | £7.63 | 7.6% | Rates were backdated to 1 April 2024 |
| East Lothian | £7.55 | £8.12 | 7.6% | Rates were backdated to 1 April 2024 |
| East Renfrewshire | £5.87 | £6.32 | 7.6% | Rates were backdated to 1 April 2024 |
| Edinburgh | £6.48 | £6.97 | 7.6% | Rates were backdated to 1 April 2024 |
| Eilean Siar | £5.75 | £6.33 | 10.1% | Rates were backdated to 1 April 2024 |
| Falkirk | £6.00 | £7.05 | 17.5% | Rates were backdated to 1 April 2024 |
| Fife | £6.52 | £7.07 | 8.4% | Rates were agreed in advance and paid from 1 April 2024. |
| Glasgow City | £7.11 | £7.65 | 7.6% | Rates were backdated to 1 April 2024 |
| Highland | £6.66 | £7.24 | 8.7% | Rates were agreed in advance and paid from 1 April 2024. |
| Inverclyde | £5.87 | £6.32 | 7.6% | Rates were backdated to 1 April 2024 |
| Midlothian | £6.50 | £6.99 | 7.6% | Rates were backdated to 1 April 2024 |
| Moray | £7.95 | £8.55 | 7.6% | Rates were backdated to 1 April 2024. An interim uplift was applied from February 2024 to £8.28 (an increase of 4.2% from the original 2023-24 rate) prior to the final uplift to £8.55 (an increase of 7.6% from the original 2023-24 rate) which took effect from 1 April 2024. |
| North Ayrshire | £5.76 | £6.81 | 18.2% | Rates were agreed in advance and paid from 1 April 2024. |
| North Lanarkshire | £6.14 | £6.76 | 10.1% | Rates were uplifted twice in 2024. Rates increased to £6.61 from 1 April, and to £6.76 from 1 August. |
| Orkney Islands | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable | Orkney Council do not have any partners other than childminders. Rates for childminders are set out in tables A3 and A4. |
| Perth and Kinross | £5.79 | £6.37 | 10.0% | Rates were uplifted twice in 2024. Rates increased by 7.6% 1 April, and by a further 2.5% from 1 August. |
| Renfrewshire | £8.50 | £8.50 | 0% | Rates were backdated to 1 April 2024 |
| Scottish Borders | £7.17 | £7.80 | 8.8% | Rates were agreed in advance and paid from 1 April 2024. |
| Shetland Islands | £8.44 | £9.08 | 7.6% | Rates were backdated to 1 April 2024. Shetland Islands Council pays a different rate if the provider is not in receipt of their Building Support Package. Funded providers in receipt of Buildings Support Package receive a rate of £8.54 for eligible 2 year olds. |
| South Ayrshire | £6.33 | £6.81 | 7.6% | Rates were agreed in advance and paid from 1 April 2024. |
| South Lanarkshire | £6.53 | £7.03 | 7.6% | Rates were backdated to 1 April 2024 |
| Stirling | £6.51 | £7.05 | 8.3% | Rates were backdated to 1 April 2024 |
| West Dunbartonshire | £5.84 | £6.43 | 10.1% | Rates were backdated to 1 April 2024 |
| West Lothian | £6.50 | £7.00 | 7.7% | Rates were agreed in advance and paid from 1 April 2024. |
Table A3: Rates paid to childminders for an hour of Early Learning and Childcare for 3-5 year olds in 2023-24 and 2024-25.
| Council | 2023-24 | 2024-25 | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aberdeen City | £5.73 | £6.17 | 7.6% |
| Aberdeenshire | £6.37 | £6.85 | 7.6% |
| Angus | £5.77 | £6.21 | 7.6% |
| Argyll & Bute | £6.95 | £7.48 | 7.6% |
| Clackmannanshire | £5.42 | £5.83 | 7.6% |
| Dumfries and Galloway | £6.30 | £6.87 | 9.0% |
| Dundee City | £5.59 | £6.03 | 7.9% |
| East Ayrshire[1] | £4.76 | £6.00 | 26.1% |
| East Dunbartonshire | £5.89 | £6.34 | 7.6% |
| East Lothian | £6.04 | £6.65 | 10.1% |
| East Renfrewshire | £5.87 | £6.32 | 7.6% |
| Edinburgh | £6.03 | £6.49 | 7.6% |
| Eilean Siar | £5.55 | £6.11 | 10.1% |
| Falkirk | £5.50 | £5.92 | 7.6% |
| Fife | £6.52 | £7.07 | 8.4% |
| Glasgow City | £6.00 | £6.46 | 7.6% |
| Highland | £5.75 | £6.39 | 11.1% |
| Inverclyde | £5.87 | £6.32 | 7.6% |
| Midlothian | £6.02 | £6.48 | 7.6% |
| Moray | £6.62 | £7.12 | 7.6% |
| North Ayrshire | £5.76 | £6.51 | 13.0% |
| North Lanarkshire | £5.87 | £6.46 | 10.1% |
| Orkney Islands | £5.50 | £5.92 | 7.6% |
| Perth and Kinross | £5.59 | £6.15 | 10.0% |
| Renfrewshire | £5.97 | £6.45 | 8.0% |
| Scottish Borders | £6.83 | £7.41 | 8.5% |
| Shetland Islands | £6.49 | £6.99 | 7.7% |
| South Ayrshire | £6.05 | £6.51 | 7.6% |
| South Lanarkshire | £5.88 | £6.33 | 7.6% |
| Stirling | £5.10 | £6.50 | 27.5% |
| West Dunbartonshire | £5.84 | £6.28 | 7.6% |
| West Lothian | £6.00 | £6.46 | 7.6% |
Table A4: Rates paid to childminders for an hour of Early Learning and Childcare for 2 year olds in 2023-24 and 2024-25.
| Council | 2023-24 | 2024-25 | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aberdeen City | £6.03 | £6.49 | 7.6% |
| Aberdeenshire | £7.22 | £7.77 | 7.6% |
| Angus | £5.77 | £6.21 | 7.6% |
| Argyll & Bute | £7.87 | £8.47 | 7.6% |
| Clackmannanshire | £5.42 | £5.83 | 7.6% |
| Dumfries and Galloway | £7.42 | £8.10 | 9.2% |
| Dundee City | £5.90 | £6.37 | 8.0% |
| East Ayrshire[2] | £4.76 | £6.15 | 29.2% |
| East Dunbartonshire | £7.09 | £7.63 | 7.6% |
| East Lothian | £7.55 | £8.12 | 7.6% |
| East Renfrewshire | £5.87 | £6.32 | 7.6% |
| Edinburgh | £6.48 | £6.97 | 7.6% |
| Eilean Siar | £5.75 | £6.33 | 10.1% |
| Falkirk | £5.50 | £5.92 | 7.6% |
| Fife | £6.52 | £7.07 | 8.4% |
| Glasgow City | £7.11 | £7.65 | 7.6% |
| Highland | £6.66 | £7.24 | 8.7% |
| Inverclyde | £5.87 | £6.32 | 7.6% |
| Midlothian | £6.50 | £6.99 | 7.6% |
| Moray | £7.95 | £8.55 | 7.6% |
| North Ayrshire | £5.76 | £6.81 | 18.2% |
| North Lanarkshire | £6.14 | £6.76 | 10.1% |
| Orkney Islands | £5.50 | £6.45 | 17.3% |
| Perth and Kinross | £5.79 | £6.37 | 10.0% |
| Renfrewshire | £8.50 | £8.50 | 0% |
| Scottish Borders | £7.17 | £7.80 | 8.8% |
| Shetland Islands | £8.44 | £9.08 | 7.6% |
| South Ayrshire | £6.33 | £6.81 | 7.6% |
| South Lanarkshire | £6.53 | £7.03 | 7.6% |
| Stirling | £5.10 | £6.50 | 27.5% |
| West Dunbartonshire | £5.84 | £6.43 | 10.1% |
| West Lothian | £6.00 | £6.46 | 7.6% |
Contact
Email: elc@gov.scot