Reporting year 2022

Education provision: children under 5 years of age

Data guidance

Published

Description

This document describes the data included in the ‘Education provision: children under 5 years of age in England, January 2022’ National Statistics release’s underlying data files. 

This data is released under the terms of the Open Government Licence (opens in a new tab) and is intended to meet at least 3 stars for Open Data (opens in a new tab)

The methodology document should be referenced alongside this data. It provides information on the data sources, their coverage and quality as well as explaining methodology used in producing the data.

Coverage

This release provides the latest information on government-funded early years provision for children aged 2-4 in state-funded schools (including nurseries), and private, voluntary, and independent providers (including childminders) in England.

The information is based on data collected via the early years census, school census, and school level annual school census. 

The underlying data files include national, regional, and local authority level information for the position during census week in January for years 2018 to 2022.

File formats and conventions

The following symbols are used in the underlying data files as follows: 

     c     to protect confidentiality - secondary suppression may also be applied to figures to protect confidentiality

     z      data not applicable 

     x      data not available 

     ~      used when a result that is not 0 (zero) would appear as 0 (zero) due to rounding

Where any number is shown as zero, the original figure submitted was zero.  

Data files

All data files associated with this release are listed below with guidance on their content. To download any of these files, please visit our data catalogue.

Data files

All data files associated with this releases are listed below with guidance on their content. To download any of these files, please visit our data catalogue.

1A Number of children registered by provider type and year group

Filename
1a_early_years_provision_children_registered_2018_2022.csv
Geographic levels
Local authority; National; Regional
Time period
2018 to 2022
Content

Number of children registered to receive government-funded early years provision by provider type and year group. 

Variable names and descriptions

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable nameVariable description
entitlement_typeType of entitlement
number_of_2_year_oldsNumber of registered 2-year-olds
number_of_3_4_year_oldsNumber of registered 3 and 4-year-olds
number_of_3_year_oldsNumber of registered 3-year-olds
number_of_4_year_oldsNumber of registered 4-year-olds
provider_typeType of provider
year_groupYear group
Footnotes
  1. A very small number of children under 5 years of age are registered in a higher year group than reception. This may be because the local authority has agreed it would be beneficial to the child, or for another reason. These children have been included in the reception category.
  2. Some maintained nursery schools have a reception class and/or some children may continue to attend their maintained nursery school in reception year until they are ready for primary school.
  3. Children attending a general hospital school and a small number of children attending a special school do not follow the national curriculum. These children are included in totals but not breakdowns by year group.
  4. The data submitted for Calderdale and the data submitted for Leicestershire in 2022 were undercounts due to error. Caution should be taken when comparing these figures with previous years.
  5. Data collected in 2021 (and to a lesser extent 2022) was affected by the impact of COVID-19 uncertainty on providers and parents. Further information is available in the methodology note.
  6. The data submitted for Thurrock in 2021 was a significant undercount due to an error, and is therefore suppressed due to inaccuracy. National and regional totals include the original submitted data.
  7. The number of 3 and 4-year-olds in reception has been combined due to small numbers of 3-year-olds being recorded in reception year. Where 3-year-olds are recorded as in reception, this may be because they attend a school with a two-year reception class or other mixed-year class, because the local authority has agreed it would be beneficial to start reception year early, or for another reason.
  8. Children who split their entitlement across more than one private, voluntary or independent provider are only counted at the provider where they spend the majority of their time.

1B Percentage and number of children registered by provider type

Filename
1b_early_years_provision_percentage_registered_2018_2022_corrected.csv
Geographic levels
Local authority; National; Regional
Time period
2018 to 2022
Content

The percentage of children registered to receive government-funded early years provision. The numerator is the number of children, the denominator is the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) estimate of eligible 2-year-olds or the Office for National Statistics (ONS) estimate of the population of 3-year-olds and/or 4-year-olds. 

Variable names and descriptions

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable nameVariable description
2_year_old_populationDWP population estimate for 2-year-olds
3_4_year_old_populationONS population estimate for 3 and 4-year-olds
3_year_old_populationONS population estimate for 3-year-olds
4_year_old_populationONS population estimate for 4-year-olds
number_of_2_year_oldsNumber of registered 2-year-olds
number_of_3_4_year_oldsNumber of registered 3 and 4-year-olds
number_of_3_year_oldsNumber of registered 3-year-olds
number_of_4_year_oldsNumber of registered 4-year-olds
percentage_of_2_year_oldsPercentage of eligible 2-year-old children registered
percentage_of_3_4_year_oldsPercentage of 3 and 4-year-old children registered
percentage_of_3_year_oldsPercentage of 3-year-old children registered
percentage_of_4_year_oldsPercentage of 4-year-old children registered
provider_typeType of provider
Footnotes
  1. The 'Maintained nursery and state-funded primary schools' category is a combination of the 'Infant classes in state-funded primary schools', 'Nursery classes in state-funded primary schools' and 'Maintained nursery schools' sub-groups.
  2. Where provider type refers to nursery or infant classes, this is the type of class the child was present in on census day, which is distinct from their national curriculum year group.
  3. The estimated number of eligible 2-year-olds is derived from data supplied by the Department for Work and Pensions each November. It represents the best data available on the number of children meeting the benefit and tax credit eligibility criteria.
  4. The data submitted for Calderdale and the data submitted for Leicestershire in 2022 were undercounts due to error. Caution should be taken when comparing these figures with previous years.
  5. Data collected in 2021 (and to a lesser extent 2022) was affected by the impact of COVID-19 uncertainty on providers and parents. Further information is available in the methodology note.
  6. The data submitted for Thurrock in 2021 was a significant undercount due to an error, and is therefore suppressed due to inaccuracy. National and regional totals include the original submitted data.
  7. The 2020 estimate of eligible 2-year-olds in Suffolk was approximately 600 lower than the correct figure due to an error. Therefore, the take-up rate amongst eligible 2-year-olds in Suffolk local authority is not comparable for 2020.
  8. Children who split their entitlement across more than one private, voluntary or independent provider are only counted at the provider where they spend the majority of their time.

1C National percentage of children registered

Filename
1c_early_years_provision_percentage_registered_national_2011_2022.csv
Geographic levels
National
Time period
2011 to 2022
Content

National time series of take-up amongst eligible two-year olds from 2015, and amongst three- and four-year-olds of the universal entitlement from 2011. 

Variable names and descriptions

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable nameVariable description
percentage_of_2_year_oldsPercentage of eligible 2-year-old children registered
percentage_of_3_4_year_oldsPercentage of 3 and 4-year-old children registered
percentage_of_3_year_oldsPercentage of 3-year-old children registered
percentage_of_4_year_oldsPercentage of 4-year-old children registered
Footnotes
  1. The estimated number of eligible 2-year-olds is derived from data supplied by the Department for Work and Pensions each November. It represents the best data available on the number of children meeting the benefit and tax credit eligibility criteria.
  2. Data collected in 2021 (and to a lesser extent 2022) was affected by the impact of COVID-19 uncertainty on providers and parents. Further information is available in the methodology note.

2 Percentage of children by hours per week

Filename
2_early_years_provision_banded_hours_2018_2022.csv
Geographic levels
Local authority; National; Regional
Time period
2018 to 2022
Content

The proportion of children in government-funded early years provision by number of funded hours received.

Variable names and descriptions

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable nameVariable description
entitlement_typeType of entitlement
funded_hoursFunded hours band
percentage_of_2_year_oldsPercentage of registered 2-year-olds
percentage_of_3_year_oldsPercentage of registered 3-year-olds
percentage_of_4_year_oldsPercentage of registered 4-year-olds
provider_typeType of provider
Footnotes
  1. Where a child takes their annual 15-hour entitlement flexibly over more than 38 weeks, the funded hours recorded in census week may underestimate the actual proportion of the entitlement taken annually, e.g. a child funded for 12 hours during census week may in fact be taking up the full 15-hour entitlement over more than 38 weeks.
  2. The percentages across all banded hours sum to 100%, although this may not be exact due to rounding.
  3. Any child attending more than one provider may have been counted twice.
  4. Data collected in 2021 (and to a lesser extent 2022) was affected by the impact of COVID-19 uncertainty on providers and parents. Further information is available in the methodology note.

3A National number of providers and children by provider type (detailed)

Filename
3a_early_years_provision_provider_type_national_2018_2022.csv
Geographic levels
National
Time period
2018 to 2022
Content

The number of providers and children by provider type, presented nationally to allow smaller breakdowns in provider type. 

Variable names and descriptions

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable nameVariable description
ageAge
entitlement_typeType of entitlement
number_of_childrenNumber of registered children
number_of_providersNumber of providers
type_of_providerType of provider
Footnotes
  1. Data collected in 2021 (and to a lesser extent 2022) was affected by the impact of COVID-19 uncertainty on providers and parents. Further information is available in the methodology note.
  2. Since 2019, a data cleaning exercise with local authorities has improved data quality. Provider types are now more accurately recorded and caution should be taken when comparing across time.
  3. Children who split their entitlement across more than one private, voluntary or independent provider are only counted at the provider where they spend the majority of their time.

3B Number of providers by provider type

Filename
3b_early_years_provision_provider_type_2018_2022.csv
Geographic levels
Local authority; National; Regional
Time period
2018 to 2022
Content

Number of providers of government-funded early years provision by provider type (e.g., childminders). 

Variable names and descriptions

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable nameVariable description
entitlement_typeType of entitlement
number_providers_2Number of providers delivering early years provision to 2-year-olds
number_providers_34Number of providers delivering early years provision to 3 and 4-year-olds
provider_typeType of provider
Footnotes
  1. The 'State-funded primary schools' category is a combination of the 'State-funded primary schools with nursery classes' and 'State-funded primary schools without nursery classes' sub-groups.
  2. The 'Maintained nursery and state-funded primary schools' category is a combination of the 'State-funded primary schools' and 'Maintained nursery schools' sub-groups.
  3. Where provider type refers to nursery or infant classes, this is the type of class the child was present in on census day, which is distinct from their national curriculum year group.
  4. Data collected in 2021 (and to a lesser extent 2022) was affected by the impact of COVID-19 uncertainty on providers and parents. Further information is available in the methodology note.

4 Number and percentage of children by provider's Ofsted inspection rating

Filename
4_early_years_provision_ofsted_ratings_2018_2022.csv
Geographic levels
Local authority; National; Regional
Time period
2018 to 2022
Content

The number of children registered to receive some government-funded early years provision by provider's Ofsted inspection judgement. 

Variable names and descriptions

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable nameVariable description
entitlement_typeType of entitlement
number_of_2_year_oldsNumber of registered 2-year-olds
number_of_3_4_year_oldsNumber of registered 3 and 4-year-olds
ofsted_inspectionOfsted inspection judgement
percentage_of_2_year_oldsPercentage of 2-year-olds registered
percentage_of_3_4_year_oldsPercentage of 3 and 4-year-olds registered
Footnotes
  1. Statutory guidance advises local authorities not to fund provision judged requires improvement or inadequate for eligible two-year-olds unless sufficient, accessible provision judged good or outstanding is not available.
  2. Percentages are based upon those providers with a matched and identified Ofsted judgement (i.e., excludes 'No match'). The four available judgements sum to 100% (may not be exact due to rounding).
  3. Data collected in 2021 (and to a lesser extent 2022) was affected by the impact of COVID-19 uncertainty on providers and parents. Further information is available in the methodology note.
  4. 'No match' includes independent schools who are not required to register with Ofsted and academy converters who have not yet been inspected under their new status. These are included as a proportion of the 'Total' numbers, based on the total number of children receiving government-funded early years provision at these providers.
  5. Children who split their entitlement across more than one private, voluntary or independent provider are only counted at the provider where they spend the majority of their time.

5 Number of children by special educational needs (SEN) provision

Filename
5_early_years_provision_sen_2018_2022.csv
Geographic levels
Local authority; National; Regional
Time period
2018 to 2022
Content

The number of children in receipt of Education Health and Care Plans, and/or in receipt of SEN support.

Variable names and descriptions

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable nameVariable description
entitlement_typeType of entitlement
number_of_2_year_oldsNumber of registered two-year-olds
number_of_3_4_year_oldsNumber of registered three- and four-year-olds
percent_of_2_year_oldsPercent of two-year-olds registered
percent_of_3_4_year_oldsPercent of three- and four-year-olds registered
sen_provisionSpecial educational needs (SEN) provision
Footnotes
  1. Data collected in 2021 (and to a lesser extent 2022) was affected by the impact of COVID-19 uncertainty on providers and parents. Further information is available in the methodology note.

6A National number and percentage of children by early years pupil premium funding basis

Filename
6a_early_years_provision_children_pupil_premium_basis_national_2018_2022.csv
Geographic levels
National
Time period
2018 to 2022
Content

The number of children in receipt of early years pupil premium nationally, by basis for funding.

Variable names and descriptions

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable nameVariable description
ageAge
early_years_pupil_premiumBasis for funding
number_of_children_ppNumber of registered children in receipt of early years pupil premium
percentage_of_children_ppPercentage of registered children in receipt of early years pupil premium
Footnotes
  1. The majority of 4-year-olds are in reception year. These children receive the school-age pupil premium rather than the early years pupil premium.
  2. 'Other' includes children eligible due to being in care or due to leaving care through adoption, a special guardianship order or a child arrangement order.
  3. Data collected in 2021 (and to a lesser extent 2022) was affected by the impact of COVID-19 uncertainty on providers and parents. Further information is available in the methodology note.

6B Number of children by early years pupil premium status

Filename
6b_early_years_provision_children_pupil_premium_2018_2022.csv
Geographic levels
Local authority; National; Regional
Time period
2018 to 2022
Content

The number of children in receipt of early years pupil premium.

Variable names and descriptions

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable nameVariable description
number_of_3_4_year_olds_ppNumber of registered 3 and 4-year-olds in receipt of early years pupil premium
number_of_3_year_olds_ppNumber of registered 3-year-olds in receipt of early years pupil premium
number_of_4_year_olds_ppNumber of registered 4-year-olds in receipt of early years pupil premium
Footnotes
  1. The majority of 4-year-olds are in reception year. These children receive the school-age pupil premium rather than the early years pupil premium.
  2. The data submitted for Calderdale and the data submitted for Leicestershire in 2022 were undercounts due to error. Caution should be taken when comparing these figures with previous years.
  3. Data collected in 2021 (and to a lesser extent 2022) was affected by the impact of COVID-19 uncertainty on providers and parents. Further information is available in the methodology note.

7A National number and percentage of staff by provider type and highest staff qualification

Filename
7a_early_years_provision_staff_highest_qualification_2018_2022.csv
Geographic levels
National
Time period
2018 to 2022
Content

The number and percentage of early years staff at private, voluntary, and independent providers, by highest qualification and category of provider.

Variable names and descriptions

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable nameVariable description
highest_qualificationHighest level of qualification
number_of_staffNumber of staff
percentage_of_staffPercentage of staff
provider_typeType of provider
Footnotes
  1. These percentages are the proportion of all staff at that provider type who have a specific qualification, not the proportion of all staff with a specific qualification. Therefore, provider types will not sum to 100%.
  2. Data collected in 2021 (and to a lesser extent 2022) was affected by the impact of COVID-19 uncertainty on providers and parents. Further information is available in the methodology note.
  3. 'Total staff' includes both qualified and unqualified staff.
  4. Since 2019, a data cleaning exercise with local authorities has improved data quality. Provider types are now more accurately recorded and caution should be taken when comparing across time.

7B Number and percentage of providers and children by provider type and staff graduate status

Filename
7b_early_years_provision_staff_2018_2022.csv
Geographic levels
Local authority; National; Regional
Time period
2018 to 2022
Content

Number and percentage of private, voluntary, and independent providers and the number of children benefiting from government-funded early years provision at private, voluntary, and independent providers with staff with graduate status by provider type.

Variable names and descriptions

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable nameVariable description
entitlement_typeType of entitlement
number_of_childrenNumber of registered children
number_of_children_at_provider_with_graduateNumber of registered children at providers having staff with a graduate status
number_of_providersNumber of providers
number_of_providers_with_graduateNumber of providers having staff with a graduate status
percentage_of_children_at_provider_with_graduatePercentage of children registered at providers having staff with a graduate status
percentage_of_providers_with_graduatePercentage of providers having staff with a graduate status
provider_typeType of provider
Footnotes
  1. Data collected in 2021 (and to a lesser extent 2022) was affected by the impact of COVID-19 uncertainty on providers and parents. Further information is available in the methodology note.
  2. Since 2019, a data cleaning exercise with local authorities has improved data quality. Provider types are now more accurately recorded and caution should be taken when comparing across time.
  3. Children who split their entitlement across more than one private, voluntary or independent provider are only counted at the provider where they spend the majority of their time.

8 Number of two-year-olds by basis for funding

Filename
8_early_years_provision_basis_for_funding_2018_2022.csv
Geographic levels
Local authority; National; Regional
Time period
2018 to 2022
Content

The number of 2-year-olds registered to receive government-funded early years provision, by basis for funding. Children may be eligible for more than one reason.

Variable names and descriptions

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable nameVariable description
basis_for_fundingBasis for funding
number_of_2_year_oldsNumber of 2-year-olds registered
Footnotes
  1. A 2-year-old can be counted under more than one basis for funding if more than one applies.
  2. Data collected in 2021 (and to a lesser extent 2022) was affected by the impact of COVID-19 uncertainty on providers and parents. Further information is available in the methodology note.

9 Number of children by ethnicity

Filename
9_early_years_provision_ethnicity_2018_2022.csv
Geographic levels
Local authority; National; Regional
Time period
2018 to 2022
Content

Number of children in receipt of government-funded early years provision by ethnicity, as reported on the early years census or school census.

Variable names and descriptions

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable nameVariable description
entitlement_typeType of entitlement
ethnicityEthnicity
number_of_2_year_oldsNumber of registered 2-year-olds
number_of_3_4_year_oldsNumber of registered 3 and 4-year-olds
Footnotes
  1. Previously, Chinese children were included in the 'Other' category. Based on new guidance, we have revised the timeseries so Chinese children are now included in the 'Asian' category.
  2. Data collected in 2021 (and to a lesser extent 2022) was affected by the impact of COVID-19 uncertainty on providers and parents. Further information is available in the methodology note.
  3. The 'Unclassified' category describes cases where the child's ethnicity was refused or not obtained. These children are included in the 'Total' numbers.

Additional - Number of children registered by local authority district

Filename
10_early_years_provision_lad_2020_2022.csv
Geographic levels
Local authority district; National; Regional
Time period
2020 to 2022
Content

The number of children registered to receive government-funded early years provision by local authority district. An additional table produced for analysis at Opportunity Area level.

Variable names and descriptions

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable nameVariable description
no_3_4_reg_ext_dnmNumber of 3 and 4-year-olds registered to receive extended government-funded early years provision at a provider with an Ofsted inspection judgement of did not match
no_3_4_reg_ext_goodNumber of 3 and 4-year-olds registered to receive extended government-funded early years provision at a provider with an Ofsted inspection judgement of good
no_3_4_reg_ext_inadequateNumber of 3 and 4-year-olds registered to receive extended government-funded early years provision at a provider with an Ofsted inspection judgement of inadequate
no_3_4_reg_ext_outstandingNumber of 3 and 4-year-olds registered to receive extended government-funded early years provision at a provider with an Ofsted inspection judgement of outstanding
no_3_4_reg_extrequires_improvementNumber of 3 and 4-year-olds registered to receive extended government-funded early years provision at a provider with an Ofsted inspection judgement of requires improvement
no_3_4_reg_uni_dnmNumber of 3 and 4-year-olds registered to receive government-funded early years provision at a provider with an Ofsted inspection judgement of did not match
no_3_4_reg_uni_goodNumber of 3 and 4-year-olds registered to receive government-funded early years provision at a provider with an Ofsted inspection judgement of good
no_3_4_reg_uni_inadequateNumber of 3 and 4-year-olds registered to receive government-funded early years provision at a provider with an Ofsted inspection judgement of inadequate
no_3_4_reg_uni_outstandingNumber of 3 and 4-year-olds registered to receive government-funded early years provision at a provider with an Ofsted inspection judgement of outstanding
no_3_4_reg_unirequires_improvementNumber of 3 and 4-year-olds registered to receive government-funded early years provision at a provider with an Ofsted inspection judgement of requires improvement
no2_regNumber of 2-year-olds registered to receive government-funded early years provision
no2_reg_dnmNumber of 2-year-olds registered to receive government-funded early years provision at a provider with an Ofsted inspection judgement of did not match
no2_reg_ecoNumber of 2-year-olds who met the economic basis for funding criteria registered to receive government-funded early years provision
no2_reg_eco_dnmNumber of 2-year-olds who met the economic basis for funding criteria registered to receive government-funded early years provision at a provider with an Ofsted inspection judgement of did not match
no2_reg_eco_goodNumber of 2-year-olds who met the economic basis for funding criteria registered to receive government-funded early years provision at a provider with an Ofsted inspection judgement of good
no2_reg_eco_inadequateNumber of 2-year-olds who met the economic basis for funding criteria registered to receive government-funded early years provision at a provider with an Ofsted inspection judgement of inadequate
no2_reg_eco_outstandingNumber of 2-year-olds who met the economic basis for funding criteria registered to receive government-funded early years provision at a provider with an Ofsted inspection judgement of outstanding
no2_reg_ecorequires_improvementNumber of 2-year-olds who met the economic basis for funding criteria registered to receive government-funded early years provision at a provider with an Ofsted inspection judgement of requires improvement
no2_reg_goodNumber of 2-year-olds registered to receive government-funded early years provision at a provider with an Ofsted inspection judgement of good
no2_reg_hsdNumber of 2-year-olds who met the high-level SEN or disability basis for funding criteria registered to receive government-funded early years provision
no2_reg_hsd_dnmNumber of 2-year-olds who met the high-level SEN or disability basis for funding criteria registered to receive government-funded early years provision at a provider with an Ofsted inspection judgement of did not match
no2_reg_hsd_goodNumber of 2-year-olds who met the high-level SEN or disability basis for funding criteria registered to receive government-funded early years provision at a provider with an Ofsted inspection judgement of good
no2_reg_hsd_inadequateNumber of 2-year-olds who met the high-level SEN or disability basis for funding criteria registered to receive government-funded early years provision at a provider with an Ofsted inspection judgement of inadequate
no2_reg_hsd_outstandingNumber of 2-year-olds who met the high-level SEN or disability basis for funding criteria registered to receive government-funded early years provision at a provider with an Ofsted inspection judgement of outstanding
no2_reg_hsdrequires_improvementNumber of 2-year-olds who met the high-level SEN or disability basis for funding criteria registered to receive government-funded early years provision at a provider with an Ofsted inspection judgement of requires improvement
no2_reg_inadequateNumber of 2-year-olds registered to receive government-funded early years provision at a provider with an Ofsted inspection judgement of inadequate
no2_reg_laaNumber of 2-year-olds who met the looked after or adopted from care basis for funding criteria registered to receive government-funded early years provision
no2_reg_laa_dnmNumber of 2-year-olds who met the looked after or adopted from care basis for funding criteria registered to receive government-funded early years provision at a provider with an Ofsted inspection judgement of did not match
no2_reg_laa_goodNumber of 2-year-olds who met the looked after or adopted from care basis for funding criteria registered to receive government-funded early years provision at a provider with an Ofsted inspection judgement of good
no2_reg_laa_inadequateNumber of 2-year-olds who met the looked after or adopted from care basis for funding criteria registered to receive government-funded early years provision at a provider with an Ofsted inspection judgement of inadequate
no2_reg_laa_outstandingNumber of 2-year-olds who met the looked after or adopted from care basis for funding criteria registered to receive government-funded early years provision at a provider with an Ofsted inspection judgement of outstanding
no2_reg_laarequires_improvementNumber of 2-year-olds who met the looked after or adopted from care basis for funding criteria registered to receive government-funded early years provision at a provider with an Ofsted inspection judgement of requires improvement
no2_reg_outstandingNumber of 2-year-olds registered to receive government-funded early years provision at a provider with an Ofsted inspection judgement of outstanding
no2_regrequires_improvementNumber of 2-year-olds registered to receive government-funded early years provision at a provider with an Ofsted inspection judgement of requires improvement
no3_4_reg_extNumber of 3 and 4-year-olds registered to receive extended government-funded early years provision
no3_4_reg_uniNumber of 3 and 4-year-olds registered to receive government-funded early years provision
no3_4_reg_uni_eyppNumber of 3 and 4-year-olds in receipt of early years pupil premium (EYPP) registered to receive government-funded early years provision
no3_4_reg_uni_eypp_bothNumber of 3 and 4-year-olds in receipt of early years pupil premium (EYPP) for both reasons registered to receive government-funded early years provision
no3_4_reg_uni_eypp_dnmNumber of 3 and 4-year-olds in receipt of early years pupil premium (EYPP) registered to receive government-funded early years provision at a provider with an Ofsted judgement of did not match
no3_4_reg_uni_eypp_ecoNumber of 3 and 4-year-olds in receipt of early years pupil premium (EYPP) for economic reasons registered to receive government-funded early years provision
no3_4_reg_uni_eypp_goodNumber of 3 and 4-year-olds in receipt of early years pupil premium (EYPP) registered to receive government-funded early years provision at a provider with an Ofsted judgement of good
no3_4_reg_uni_eypp_inadequateNumber of 3 and 4-year-olds in receipt of early years pupil premium (EYPP) registered to receive government-funded early years provision at a provider with an Ofsted judgement of inadequate
no3_4_reg_uni_eypp_othNumber of 3 and 4-year-olds in receipt of early years pupil premium (EYPP) due to being in care or due to leaving care through adoption, a special guardianship order or a child arrangement order registered to receive government-funded early years provision
no3_4_reg_uni_eypp_outstandingNumber of 3 and 4-year-olds in receipt of early years pupil premium (EYPP) registered to receive government-funded early years provision at a provider with an Ofsted judgement of outstanding
no3_4_reg_uni_eypp_unkNumber of 3 and 4-year-olds in receipt of early years pupil premium (EYPP) for unknown reasons registered to receive government-funded early years provision
no3_4_reg_uni_eypprequires_improvementNumber of 3 and 4-year-olds in receipt of early years pupil premium (EYPP) registered to receive government-funded early years provision at a provider with an Ofsted judgement of requires improvement
Footnotes
  1. Statutory guidance advises local authorities not to fund provision judged requires improvement or inadequate for eligible two-year-olds unless sufficient, accessible provision judged good or outstanding is not available.
  2. A 2-year-old can be counted under more than one basis for funding if more than one applies.
  3. Data collected in 2021 (and to a lesser extent 2022) was affected by the impact of COVID-19 uncertainty on providers and parents. Further information is available in the methodology note.
  4. 'No match' includes independent schools who are not required to register with Ofsted and academy converters who have not yet been inspected under their new status. These are included as a proportion of the 'Total' numbers, based on the total number of children receiving government-funded early years provision at these providers.
  5. Children who split their entitlement across more than one private, voluntary or independent provider are only counted at the provider where they spend the majority of their time.

Commentary - Figure 2: Number of children registered for early years provision by age and provider type, 2022

Filename
early_years_provision_figure2_provider_type_2022.csv
Geographic levels
National
Time period
2022
Content

Underlying data for Figure 2 in the commentary. The number of children registered to receive government-funded early years provision by age, entitlement, and provider type.

Variable names and descriptions

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable nameVariable description
age_entitlementAge and type of entitlement
number_of_childrenNumber of registered children
provider_typeType of provider
Footnotes
  1. A very small number of children under 5 years of age are registered in a higher year group than reception. This may be because the local authority has agreed it would be beneficial to the child, or for another reason. These children have been included in the reception category.
  2. This chart does not include the small number of children attending a state-funded school who do not follow the national curriculum.
  3. Data collected in 2021 (and to a lesser extent 2022) was affected by the impact of COVID-19 uncertainty on providers and parents. Further information is available in the methodology note.
  4. The number of 3 and 4-year-olds in reception has been combined due to small numbers of 3-year-olds being recorded in reception year. Where 3-year-olds are recorded as in reception, this may be because they attend a school with a two-year reception class or other mixed-year class, because the local authority has agreed it would be beneficial to start reception year early, or for another reason.
  5. Children who split their entitlement across more than one private, voluntary or independent provider are only counted at the provider where they spend the majority of their time.

Commentary - Table 1: Number and percentage of children registered for the 15-hour entitlement, 2018 to 2022

Filename
early_years_provision_table1_annual_change_2018_2022.csv
Geographic levels
National
Time period
2018 to 2022
Content

Underlying data for Table 1 in the commentary. The number and percentage of children registered to receive government-funded early years provision, the eligible population, and annual changes.

Variable names and descriptions

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable nameVariable description
age_entitlementAge and entitlement type
annual_changeAnnual change
measureMeasure
measure_typeMeasure type
Footnotes
  1. The estimated number of eligible 2-year-olds is derived from data supplied by the Department for Work and Pensions each November. It represents the best data available on the number of children meeting the benefit and tax credit eligibility criteria.
  2. Data collected in 2021 (and to a lesser extent 2022) was affected by the impact of COVID-19 uncertainty on providers and parents. Further information is available in the methodology note.

Commentary - Table 2: Number of providers by entitlement and provider type, 2020 to 2022

Filename
early_years_provision_table2_providers_2020_2022.csv
Geographic levels
National
Time period
2020 to 2022
Content

Underlying data for Table 2 in the commentary. The number of providers with at least one child receiving government-funded early years provision by child's age and provider type.

Variable names and descriptions

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable nameVariable description
ageAge
entitlement_typeType of entitlement
number_of_providersNumber of providers
type_of_providerType of provider
Footnotes
  1. Data collected in 2021 (and to a lesser extent 2022) was affected by the impact of COVID-19 uncertainty on providers and parents. Further information is available in the methodology note.
  2. Children who split their entitlement across more than one private, voluntary or independent provider are only counted at the provider where they spend the majority of their time.

Commentary - Table 3: Percentage of children registered by entitlement type and provider’s Ofsted inspection judgement, 2022

Filename
early_years_provision_table3_ofsted_2022.csv
Geographic levels
National
Time period
2018 to 2022
Content

Underlying data for Table 3 in the commentary. The percentage of children registered to receive early years provision by entitlement type and provider's Ofsted inspection judgement.

Variable names and descriptions

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable nameVariable description
ageAge
entitlement_typeType of entitlement
ofsted_inspectionOfsted inspection judgement
percentage_of_childrenPercentage of children registered
Footnotes
  1. Statutory guidance advises local authorities not to fund provision judged requires improvement or inadequate for eligible two-year-olds unless sufficient, accessible provision judged good or outstanding is not available.
  2. Percentages are based upon those providers with a matched and identified Ofsted judgement (i.e., excludes 'No match'). The four available judgements sum to 100% (may not be exact due to rounding).
  3. Data collected in 2021 (and to a lesser extent 2022) was affected by the impact of COVID-19 uncertainty on providers and parents. Further information is available in the methodology note.

Headline facts and figures, 2022

Filename
early_years_provision_headline_figures_2022.csv
Geographic levels
National
Time period
2022
Content

Underlying data for the headline facts and figures in the commentary.

Variable names and descriptions

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable nameVariable description
num_2_15Eligible 2-year-olds registered for 15-hour entitlement
num_34_153 and 4-year-olds registered for 15-hour entitlement
num_34_303 and 4-year-olds registered for 30-hour entitlement
num_34_eypp3 and 4-year-olds in receipt of the early years pupil premium
perc_2_15Estimated percentage of eligible 2-year-olds registered for 15-hour entitlement
perc_34_15Percentage of 3 and 4-year-olds registered for 15-hour entitlement
Footnotes
  1. The majority of 4-year-olds are in reception year. These children receive the school-age pupil premium rather than the early years pupil premium.
  2. The estimated number of eligible 2-year-olds is derived from data supplied by the Department for Work and Pensions each November. It represents the best data available on the number of children meeting the benefit and tax credit eligibility criteria.
  3. Data collected in 2021 (and to a lesser extent 2022) was affected by the impact of COVID-19 uncertainty on providers and parents. Further information is available in the methodology note.