Schools in Scotland - summary statistics: 2020

Chapter 5: Early Learning and Childcare

Table 5.1 shows that there were 90,126 registrations for funded Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) in September 2020, a decrease of 6.5% since September 2019 when there were 96,375 registrations. Uptake of funded ELC for eligible three and four year olds remains very high, with an estimated 95% registered (98% in 2019). Children registered to receive funded ELC at more than one centre may be counted more than once, so this will slightly overestimate true uptake. The decrease in the uptake of funded ELC this year may be due to the effects of COVID-19, with some parents choosing not to register their children.

The number of two year olds registered for funded ELC has decreased from 5,990 in 2019 to 4,863 in 2020. 9% of all two year olds were registered in 2020, a decrease from 11% in 2019.

At local authority level, the proportion of two year olds registered varies considerably, with the highest proportions found in Clackmannanshire (21%), West Dunbartonshire (19%) and Inverclyde (18%). Aberdeen City (3%), East Lothian (4%) and Shetland Islands (4%) had the lowest proportions of their two year old populations registered for funded ELC. It should be noted that the proportion of the two year old population registered for funded ELC will be affected by the proportion of the population that is eligible in each local authority area. However, this is currently not known, so the proportion of eligible two year olds that are registered for funded ELC cannot be reported on.

The number of deferred registrations for funded ELC increased by 12% from 5,326 in 2019 to 5,940 in 2020. Of children potentially eligible for deferral, 21% were registered for funded ELC in 2020, compared with 19% in 2019.

Table 5.2 shows that the overall FTE of teachers, graduates and staff working towards the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) benchmark degree level qualifications in ELC was 5,015 in 2020, compared with 4,781 in 2019, an increase of 5%. The FTE of teachers working in ELC was 729 in 2020, compared with 798 in 2019, a 9% decrease of 70 FTE. There were 2,721 FTE graduates working in ELC with degrees relevant to early years, other than teachers, a 7% increase of 185 FTE compared with 2,535 recorded in 2019. The FTE of ELC staff working towards the SSSC benchmark degree level qualifications increased by 117 to 1,565 in 2020, an 8% increase compared with 1,448 in 2019.

(1) This is a snapshot of registrations at census week (14-18 September 2020). It does not include children who were registered between census week and the end of December.

(2) Refers to academic year - three and four year olds were previously referred to as ‘ante pre-school’ and ‘pre-school’ respectively.

(3) Eligible children are estimated from National Records of Scotland population projections. For three year olds, only around half of children are eligible at the time of the census (14-18 September 2020). Children are counted once for each centre they are registered with, so the same child may be counted multiple times if they attend more than one centre. Children may also attend centres outside of the local authority they live in, which would also affect these figures.

(4) Refers to children who are eligible to attend primary school but have deferred entry and remain in ELC.

(5) Eligibility figures for deferral are calculated on the assumption that all children born from September to February inclusive are potentially eligible for funded ELC if they defer entry to primary school; January and February born children are entitled to the additional year of funded ELC, while for September to December born children, the local authority decides whether to provide it. Children born after school commencement date in mid-August can also defer entry to primary school, but they are not included in the calculation for the percentage of those eligible for deferred entry to avoid double counting with the four year old category.

(1) GTCS registered teachers. Includes teachers in ELC centres, centrally employed teachers, and home visiting teachers.

(2) Includes staff that hold: a degree level benchmark qualification required by the SSSC for registration as a manager/lead practitioner (see background notes for list of benchmark qualifications); a degree level (SCQF level 9) qualification relevant to early years and are working towards a degree level benchmark qualification required by the SSSC for registration as a manager/lead practitioner; or a degree level qualification sufficient to meet the registration standards of another regulatory body (e.g. Nursing and Midwifery Council, General Medical Council).

(3) Staff that do not hold degrees (SCQF level 9) relevant to early years, but are working towards a SSSC benchmark degree level qualification for registration as a manager/lead practitioner.

Table 5.3 shows the characteristics of teachers in ELC. The vast majority of teachers (93%) were female. Since 2015, the proportion of male teachers has more than doubled from 3% to 7%.

Since 2012, the average age of teachers has remained around age 45. Data on age and sex is only available for teachers, although they only form part of the graduate workforce in ELC.

Chart 2 shows the age profile of GTCS registered ELC teachers, as at September 2020. The number of teachers generally increases to age 39, then peaks at age 39 and 50, before decreasing sharply after age 57.