Licence

Start a nursery (Scotland)

Register with Social Care and Social Work Improvement Scotland (SCSWIS) Care Inspectorate if you want to run a day nursery in Scotland.

Apply for this licence

You must register with the Care Inspectorate if you want to run a day nursery in Scotland.

You must register to provide day care where all the following apply:

  • the children are under the age of 8
  • the nursery is on non-domestic premises
  • sessions are more than 2 hours in any one day
  • the service is provided at least 6 days a year

Day care includes all nursery classes, cr猫ches, after school clubs and play groups.

It doesn鈥檛 include services that are part of school activities, sports clubs or uniformed activities, like Scouts or Guides.

About your application

As part of the application process you鈥檒l be asked for detailed information like:

  • personal details and financial records
  • references
  • building plans and surveys
  • manager details
  • staff recruitment and training
  • day care arrangements

Read the guidance below for more information about the registration process and fees.

How to apply

You can apply online or by post.

To apply online,

To apply by post, contact the national enquiries line for an application pack.

Care Inspectorate enquiries
[email protected]
Telephone: 0345 600 9527
Find out about call charges

Displaying your registration certificate

You must keep your certificate, or a copy of it, in a prominent place in your nursery.

Penalties

The 鈥楥are Inspectorate鈥� can inspect your nursery. If they find problems they鈥檒l tell you what to do to put things right. If you don鈥檛 do these things they can close your nursery down.

For more information about the standards you must meet, read the guidance below.