Introduction

The Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) census is an annual collection of data on settings providing funded ELC during one week in September.

This report includes data from settings that were providing funded ELC during census week, data on child registrations, and data on staff delivering funded ELC. More information on the data included in this report and the methodology used can be found in the data and methodology section.

Uptake rates for funded ELC have been revised for 2012 to 2024 due to the publication of revised mid-year estimates by National Records of Scotland (NRS) which are used in the calculation of ELC uptake rates. The rates presented in this report are the most accurate and should be used instead of previously published figures. More information on these revisions can be found in the data and methodology section of this report.

An error was identified in the calculation of the estimated eligible two year old population in 2024, and the resulting uptake rate. The national uptake rate for 2024 was published as 59%. The correct figure for 2024 is 57%. Corrected figures at local authority level are available as part of the revised time series published on the Scottish Government ELC statistics webpage.

ELC census data was previously including in the Summary Statistics for Schools in Scotland publication. That publication series has been replaced by three separate reports covering:

• Funded early learning and childcare (this publication)
• Pupils and teachers
• Attendance, absence and exclusions

This change aligns with best practice guidance to improve the clarity, length and accessibility of statistical publications. All statistics that were previously published on early learning and childcare as part of the Summary Statistics for Schools publication continue to be published in this report.

An Accredited Official Statistics Publication for Scotland

These statistics are accredited official statistics. The Office for Statistics Regulation has independently reviewed and accredited these statistics as complying with the standards of trustworthiness, quality, and value in the Code of Practice for Statistics.

These statistics were accredited in April 2014; full details can be found in the accreditation notice.

Accredited official statistics are called National Statistics in the Statistics and Registration Service Act 2007.

Scottish Government statistics are regulated by the Office for Statistics Regulation (OSR). OSR sets the standards of trustworthiness, quality and value in the Code of Practice for Statistics that all producers of official statistics should adhere to.

More information about Scottish Government statistics is available on the Scottish Government website.