Early learning and childcare provision

Request data on funded early learning places, uptake, and provider capacity.

All three- and four-year-olds in Scotland are entitled to 1,140 hours of funded early learning and childcare per year. This data shows whether there are enough places and how they are being delivered.

Dear [AUTHORITY NAME], Please provide the following information for [SCHOOL YEAR e.g. 2024-25]: 1. The total number of children receiving funded early learning and childcare, broken down by age (eligible two-year-olds, three-year-olds, four-year-olds). 2. The number of funded places provided by council nurseries and the number provided by funded partner providers (private, voluntary, and childminder settings). 3. The number of applications for a funded place that the council was unable to meet within the parent's preferred setting or location. I would prefer to receive this as a spreadsheet or CSV if possible. Yours faithfully, [YOUR NAME]
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Who to send it to#

Your local council’s early years or education department. Find your council on the Commissioner’s directory of Scottish public authorities. You can also send your request through WhatDoTheyKnow, which publishes responses online.

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Tips#

  • The Scottish Government publishes annual early learning and childcare statistics. Check these for the national picture before submitting your request.
  • The expansion to 1,140 hours was fully rolled out in 2021. If you are interested in how the expansion is working, you can ask about delivery models (e.g. how many settings offer the full 1,140 hours in a single placement).
  • Item 3 helps identify unmet demand. If the council cannot quantify this, it may suggest that tracking of unmet demand is inadequate.