This table provides metadata for the actual indicator available from UK statistics closest to the corresponding global SDG indicator. Please note that even when the global SDG indicator is fully available from UK statistics, this table should be consulted for information on national methodology and other UK-specific metadata information.
| Indicator available |
Percentage of eligible 2 year olds and all 3 and 4 year olds registered for government-funded early years provision |
|---|---|
| Indicator description |
Percentage of children under 5 taking part in government-funded early years provision |
| Geographical coverage |
England |
| Unit of measurement |
Percentage (%) |
| Definitions |
The percentage of children under 5 in government-funded early years provision is defined as the percentage of children under 5 in funded early education provision, made up of the state-funded schools, private, voluntary and independent sectors, and childminders. It doesn’t include children whose early childcare/education is fully privately funded. For 2 year olds, population has been estimated using data supplied by Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) on the eligible population, whilst for 3 and 4 year olds it has been estimated from Office for National Statistics (ONS) population statistics. |
| Available disaggregations |
Age, region, and local authority. Age 2 data is only available since 2015. |
| Calculations |
No calculations were performed in the data acquisition of this indicator as appropriate data was readily available in the final format specified by this indicator. |
| Other information |
Children who are temporarily absent during census week are still recorded in this dataset. However, for January 2021 the proportion of children temporarily absent is a lot higher due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the national lockdown in the UK. For more information about methodology please see Education provision - children under 5 years of age methodology. The number of 2-year-olds eligible for government-funded early years provision is estimated using the number of households with 2-year-olds that are in receipt of income-related benefits but excludes children eligible to access the provision for other reasons. Therefore, the true number of 2-year-olds eligible is under-estimated. In turn, the take- up rate of government-funded early years provision for 2-year-olds is over-estimated. The take-up rates for government-funded early years provision for 3 and 4-year-olds are calculated based on population estimates derived from mid-year estimates and projections produced by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). These population estimates do not yet take updated figures based on Census 2021 data into account. As a consequence, previous population estimates for 3 and 4-year-olds from 2013 onwards are likely overestimates to some extent, and therefore the derived take-up rates are likely underestimates. For more information about both population estimates please see the "About these statistics" section within Education provision - children under 5 years of age. Population estimates are derived from mid-year estimates and projections produced by the ONS. Those at lower geographic levels, such as local authority, are subject to a greater degree of error. In some cases, local authority take-up rates can exceed 100%. Therefore, take-up rates at local authority level should be treated with more caution than national take-up rates. This indicator is being used as an approximation of the UN SDG Indicator. Where possible, we will work to identify or develop UK data to meet the global indicator specification. This indicator has been identified in collaboration with topic experts. |
| Data last updated | 26 July 2023 |
| Metadata last updated | 02 August 2023 |