About early learning and childcare statistics

The Scottish Government Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) census is an important mechanism for gathering information from services that deliver the funded ELC entitlement.

The census data is currently collected on an annual basis and published as part of the Summary Statistics for Schools in Scotland report. 

It has been recognised that the current ELC census is not sufficient to provide the information necessary to manage this growing sector and is burdensome for data providers to complete, with little benefit to them. The ELC Data Transformation Project (ELC DTP) has been developed, and aims to improve the information gathered and expand the analysis that will be possible for this sector.