Early Learning and Childcare

Funding is available for registered childcare providers to allow them to offer a drink of milk and a healthy snack to the pre-school children (birth to school age) they support at no cost to families. Non-dairy alternatives to milk are also covered.

All East Lothian childcare providers can receive payments from the Scottish Milk and Healthy Snack Scheme for children as long as they:

• offer pre-school care to children for 2 hours or more per day 
• are registered with the Care Inspectorate.

Children will only receive the benefit offered through the Scheme if they attend a registered setting for more than 2 hours on an individual day. If the child attends more than one setting - such as a nursery then a childminder - they will receive the milk and snack at one of the providers. Usually this will be at the first setting.

Money will be paid directly into childcare providers' bank accounts.

Registered childcare providers can now apply for the period 1 April to 30 September 2026. The deadline for applications is Friday 8 May 2026.  Applications can be submitted after this date but funding will only be backdated to the date of application.

Apply now

Find out more about the Scottish Milk and Healthy Snack Scheme