Childcare population data: FOI release

Information requested

I am requesting the following information under freedom of information legislation.

1. The number of people entitled to 1,140 hours of free childcare under the age of 1 years (less than 12 months)?
2. The number of people entitled to 1,140 hours of free childcare between 9 and 12 months old.
3. The number of people aged 0-1 years old?
4. The number of people aged 9-12 months old?

Response

I enclose a copy of most of the information you requested.

The answer to your question is:

Question 1
No child under the age of 1 year old is eligible for 1140 hours of free childcare.

Question 2
No child between the age of 9-12 months old is eligible for 1140 hours of free childcare.

You can find information on funded early learning here: Funded early learning and childcare - mygov.scot. Councils also have discretionary powers to offer funded ELC to children earlier than the relevant start date as they see fit. You can find information in the ELC census which record show many registrations for funded ELC are for children under 2. Last census here: Schools in Scotland 2022: summary statistics - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

Question 3
National Records of Scotland publish mid-year population estimates for Scotland, broken down by year of age. The most recent publication shows that there were an estimated 46,782 children aged less than one year in Scotland in mid-2021. These estimates are available online at Mid- 2021 Population Estimates Scotland | National Records of Scotland (nrscotland.gov.uk)

Question 4
The Scottish Government does not hold this information as population estimates are not available by month of age. However, weekly births registered in Scotland are published by National Records for Scotland. These are available online Births registered weekly in Scotland | National Records of Scotland (nrscotland.gov.uk) and, from these, one could make an estimate of the number of children of a certain age at any given time.

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at http://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.