Childcare and early years provider survey
Reporting year 2023

Description

These tables are derived from data collected on the 2023 Survey of Childcare and Early Years Providers (SCEYP).  Where data for 2018, 2019, 2021 and / or 2022 are shown alongside 2023 data, these have been taken from the respective years' surveys.  There was no SCEYP in 2020.

Fieldwork for the 2023 SCEYP was carried out between April and July 2023.

SCEYP surveyed three types of providers:

School-based providers include maintained nursery schools, and other schools that offer nursery as well as other provision.

Group-based providers are providers registered with Ofsted and operating on non-domestic premises.  Most of the tables show a split between private and voluntary sector providers.  There are a small group of “other” group-based providers (providers run by local authorities and “private not-for-profit” providers such as community interest companies).  These are shown in a small number of tables, for instance a “headline” table, showing the total number of childcare providers, broken down by type of provider.  In other tables, “other” group-based providers are not separately identified but include in the “group-based provider” total.

Ofsted-registered childminders providing early years care and operating in domestic settings (childminders registered with a childminder agency were not surveyed).

A full description of SCEYP methodology, and the different providers covered, is provided in the Technical Report available in the  methodology section and available for download from the “supporting files” section of the release.

In addition to the tables shown here, further tables are available.  In some cases, these provide a more detailed breakdown of the data published in this report.  In other cases, they cover additional topics to those covered by the report.  These tables can be found in the “supporting files” section of this release.

Coverage

All figures refer to England

File formats and conventions

Figures that are based on an “unweighted base” (i.e. sample size) of less than 10 are not shown in the files.

Data files

Number of providers

Filename: sceyp23_number_of_providers.csv
Geographic levels: National
Time period: 2018 to 2023
Content summary: A time series of the number of providers, broken down by provider type.

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name  |  Variable description
-------------  |  -------------------
number         |  Number of providers
provider_type  |  Provider type

Footnotes:

1. All figures have been rounded to the nearest 100. They may not add up to totals due to rounding.
2. See "Further information" for an explanation of the difference between the numbers in this chart, and the number of group-based providers and childminders on the Ofsted register and the number of schools in the School Census.


Number of providers by region

Filename: sceyp23_number_of_providers_by_region.csv
Geographic levels: Regional
Time period: 2023
Content summary: A breakdown of the number of providers by region and provider type.

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name  |  Variable description
-------------  |  -----------------------
number         |  Number of providers
proportion     |  Proportion of providers
provider_type  |  Provider type

Footnotes:

1. All figures have been rounded to the nearest 10. They may not add up to totals due to rounding.
2. [u] Statistics based on an "unweighted base" (sample size) of less than 10 are not shown. Statistics based on an "unweighted base" of 10 or greater but less than 30 should be treated with caution and are only indicative.


Number of providers by deprivation level

Filename: sceyp23_number_of_providers_by_deprivation_level.csv
Geographic levels: National
Time period: 2023
Content summary: A breakdown of the number of providers by the level of deprivation in the area that the provider is located in and provider type.

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name  |  Variable description
-------------  |  -----------------------
dep_level      |  Deprivation level
number         |  Number of providers
proportion     |  Proportion of providers
provider_type  |  Provider type

Footnotes:

1. All figures have been rounded to the nearest 10. They may not add up to totals due to rounding.


Proportion of providers that are part of a chain

Filename: sceyp23_proportion_of_providers_that_are_part_of_a_chain.csv
Geographic levels: National
Time period: 2023
Content summary: The proportion of group-based providers that are part of a chain of providers.

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name    |  Variable description
---------------  |  -----------------------
percentage       |  Percentage of providers
provider_type    |  Provider type
unweighted_base  |  Unweighted base

Footnotes:

1. Due to differences between the way that the survey was completed in 2023 and the way that previous years' surveys were completed, figures in this table cannot be compared with those for previous years


Proportion of providers open both term-time and holidays

Filename: sceyp23_proportion_of_providers_open_both_termtime_and_holidays.csv
Geographic levels: National
Time period: 2023
Content summary: The proportion of providers open during both term time and school holidays, broken down by provider type.

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name               |  Variable description
--------------------------  |  ----------------------------------------------------------------------
both_termtime_and_holidays  |  Percentage of providers open during both term-time and school holidays
provider_type               |  Provider type


Number of weeks providers expect to be open during the year

Filename: sceyp23_number_of_weeks_providers_expect_to_be_open_during_the_year.csv
Geographic levels: National
Time period: 2023
Content summary: The average number of weeks that providers expect to be open during the year, broken down by provider type.

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name    |  Variable description
---------------  |  ----------------------
mean             |  Mean number of weeks
median           |  Median number of weeks
provider_type    |  Provider type
unweighted_base  |  Unweighted base


Mean provider opening hours per day

Filename: sceyp23_mean_provider_opening_hours_per_day.csv
Geographic levels: National
Time period: 2023
Content summary: Mean provider opening hours, broken down by provider type.

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name    |  Variable description
---------------  |  --------------------
mean             |  Mean number of hours
provider_type    |  Provider type
unweighted_base  |  Unweighted base

Footnotes:

1. "Mean opening hours" are the difference between morning opening times and afternoon / evening closing times.  Where a provider shuts at lunchtime, the time that it is shut for has not been deducted from its mean opening hours.


Number of registered places

Filename: sceyp23_number_of_registered_places.csv
Geographic levels: National
Time period: 2018 to 2023
Content summary: A time series of the number of registered places, broken down by provider type.

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name    |  Variable description
---------------  |  ----------------
number           |  Number of places
provider_type    |  Provider type
unweighted_base  |  Unweighted base

Footnotes:

1. All figures have been rounded to the nearest 100. They may not add up to totals due to rounding.
2. The number of registered childminder places in 2023 is not directly comparable with figures for previous years. In the 2023 Survey, in order to be consistent with school-based and group-based providers, childminders were asked "How many children are you allowed to look after at one time?" In previous surveys, childminders were asked "How many places for children under the age of 8 have you personally got registered with Ofsted?" These questions are slightly different because although, in order to offer childcare places, childminders need to register these places with Ofsted, this is only the case for places for children aged under 8.
3. Figures for school-based providers refer to full-day nursery places - places in before-school and after-school childcare are excluded.


Number of registered places per provider

Filename: sceyp23_number_of_registered_places_per_provider.csv
Geographic levels: National
Time period: 2018 to 2023
Content summary: A time series of the number of registered places per provider, broken down by provider type.

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name    |  Variable description
---------------  |  ---------------------
average_places   |  Mean number of places
provider_type    |  Provider type
unweighted_base  |  Unweighted base

Footnotes:

1. The number of registered childminder places in 2023 is not directly comparable with figures for previous years. In the 2023 Survey, in order to be consistent with school-based and group-based providers, childminders were asked "How many children are you allowed to look after at one time?" In previous surveys, childminders were asked "How many places for children under the age of 8 have you personally got registered with Ofsted?" These questions are slightly different because although, in order to offer childcare places, childminders need to register these places with Ofsted, this is only the case for places for children aged under 8.
2. Figures for school-based providers refer to full-day nursery places - places in before-school and after-school childcare are excluded.


Number of registered places by region

Filename: sceyp23_number_of_registered_places_by_region.csv
Geographic levels: Regional
Time period: 2023
Content summary: The number of registered places, broken down by region and provider type.

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name  |  Variable description
-------------  |  --------------------
number         |  Number of places
percent        |  Proportion of places
provider_type  |  Provider type

Footnotes:

1. All figures have been rounded to the nearest 100. They may not add up to totals due to rounding.
2. Figures for school-based providers refer to full-day nursery places - places in before-school and after-school childcare are excluded.


Number of registered places by age

Filename: sceyp23_number_of_registered_places_by_age.csv
Geographic levels: National
Time period: 2023
Content summary: The number of registered places, broken down by age and provider type.

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name    |  Variable description
---------------  |  ----------------------
age_group        |  Age group
percent          |  Proportion of children
provider_type    |  Provider type
unweighted_base  |  Unweighted base


Number of booked places

Filename: sceyp23_number_of_booked_places.csv
Geographic levels: National
Time period: 2019 to 2023
Content summary: A time series of the number of booked places, broken down by provider type.

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name    |  Variable description
---------------  |  -------------------------
number           |  Number of bookings
provider_type    |  Provider and session type
unweighted_base  |  Unweighted base

Footnotes:

1. All figures have been rounded to the nearest 100. They may not add up to totals due to rounding.


Surplus places

Filename: sceyp23_surplus_places.csv
Geographic levels: National
Time period: 2023
Content summary: The percentage of providers with one or more surplus place, and the number and percentage of places that are surplus, broken down by provider type.

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name      |  Variable description
-----------------  |  ------------------------------------------------------
ave_places         |  Mean number of surplus places per provider
percent_places     |  Percentage of places that are surplus
percent_providers  |  Percentage of providers with one or more surplus place
provider_type      |  Provider and session type
total_places       |  Total number of surplus places

Footnotes:

1. "Total number of surplus places" has been rounded to the nearest 100. Figures may not add up to totals due to rounding.
2. Figures refer to spare places at providers offering each specific type of provision i.e. they include providers who offer that type of provision but have no spare capacity, but not providers who do not offer that type of provision.
3. Figures refer to providers offering each specific type of provision.  Providers who do not offer that type of provision are excluded.


Change in occupancy rate

Filename: sceyp23_change_in_occupancy_rate.csv
Geographic levels: National
Time period: 2023
Content summary: Change in occupancy rates in the last year, broken down by provider type.

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name    |  Variable description
---------------  |  ----------------------
higher_occ       |  Higher occupancy
lower_occ        |  Lower occupancy
no_change_occ    |  No change in occupancy
provider_type    |  Provider type
unweighted_base  |  Unweighted base


Childminders employing an assistant

Filename: sceyp23_childminders_employing_an_assistant.csv
Geographic levels: National
Time period: 2018 to 2023
Content summary: A time series of the proportion of childminders that employ an assistant.

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name      |  Variable description
-----------------  |  ---------------------------------
percent_assistant  |  Percentage employing an assistant
unweighted_base    |  Unweighted base


Childminder bookings for their own children

Filename: sceyp23_childminder_bookings_for_their_own_children.csv
Geographic levels: National
Time period: 2023
Content summary: The proportion of childminders that care for one, two or more than two of their own children, as well as providing care to other children.

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name    |  Variable description
---------------  |  --------------------------
number_children  |  Number of own children
percent_cms      |  Percentage of childminders
unweighted_base  |  Unweighted base


Number of paid childcare staff

Filename: sceyp23_number_of_paid_childcare_staff.csv
Geographic levels: National
Time period: 2018 to 2023
Content summary: A time series of the number of paid provider staff, broken down by provider type.  Temporary staff are included but volunteer staff and apprentices are excluded.

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name    |  Variable description
---------------  |  ---------------
number_staff     |  Number of staff
provider_type    |  Provider type
unweighted_base  |  Unweighted base

Footnotes:

1. All figures have been rounded to the nearest 100. They may not add up to totals due to rounding.
2. Includes temporary staff but excludes volunteer staff and apprentices. Staff that do not work directly with children e.g. administrative staff are excluded.
3. "Childminding staff" refers to childminders and childminding assistants


Mean staff per provider

Filename: sceyp23_mean_staff_per_provider.csv
Geographic levels: National
Time period: 2018 to 2023
Content summary: A time series of the mean number of paid staff per provider, broken down by provider type.   Temporary staff are included but volunteer staff and apprentices are excluded.

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name    |  Variable description
---------------  |  ---------------
mean_staff       |  Number of staff
provider_type    |  Provider type
unweighted_base  |  Unweighted base

Footnotes:

1. Includes temporary staff but excludes volunteer staff and apprentices. Staff that do not work directly with children e.g. administrative staff are excluded.


Providers employing temporary staff

Filename: sceyp23_providers_employing_temporary_staff.csv
Geographic levels: National
Time period: 2021 to 2023
Content summary: A time series of the proportion of providers that employ temporary staff, and the number of temporary staff that they employ.

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name      |  Variable description
-----------------  |  -------------------------
number_staff       |  Number of temporary staff
percent_employing  |  Percentage of providers
provider_type      |  Provider type
unweighted_base    |  Unweighted base

Footnotes:

1. All figures have been rounded to the nearest 100. They may not add up to totals due to rounding.
2. Excludes volunteer staff and apprentices. Staff that do not work directly with children e.g. administrative staff are excluded.


Providers employing volunteer staff

Filename: sceyp23_providers_employing_volunteer_staff.csv
Geographic levels: National
Time period: 2021 to 2023
Content summary: A time series of the proportion of providers that employ volunteer staff, and the number of volunteer staff that they employ.

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name      |  Variable description
-----------------  |  -------------------------
number_vol_staff   |  Number of voluntary staff
percent_employing  |  Percentage of providers
provider_type      |  Provider type
unweighted_base    |  Unweighted base

Footnotes:

1. All figures have been rounded to the nearest 100. They may not add up to totals due to rounding.
2. Only includes volunteer staff working directly with children


Providers employing apprentices

Filename: sceyp23_providers_employing_apprentices.csv
Geographic levels: National
Time period: 2021 to 2023
Content summary: A time series of the proportion of providers that employ apprentices, and the number of apprentices that they employ.

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name       |  Variable description
------------------  |  -----------------------
number_apprentices  |  Number of apprentices
percent_employing   |  Percentage of providers
provider_type       |  Provider type
unweighted_base     |  Unweighted base

Footnotes:

1. Only includes apprentices working directly with children
2. All figures have been rounded to the nearest 100. They may not add up to totals due to rounding.


Proportion of apprentices employed by level

Filename: sceyp23_proportion_of_apprentices_employed_by_level.csv
Geographic levels: National
Time period: 2021 to 2023
Content summary: A time series of the proportion of apprentices employed at different levels.

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name    |  Variable description
---------------  |  ---------------------
percent_L2       |  Percentage at Level 2
percent_L3       |  Percentage at Level 3
percent_L5       |  Percentage at Level 5
provider_type    |  Provider type
unweighted_base  |  Unweighted base

Footnotes:

1. [u] Statistics based on an "unweighted base" (sample size) of less than 10 are not shown. Statistics based on an "unweighted base" of 10 or greater but less than 30 should be treated with caution and are only indicative.
2. X - Information on Level 5 apprentices began to be collected in 2023


Staff joining and leaving providers

Filename: sceyp23_staff_joining_and_leaving_providers.csv
Geographic levels: National
Time period: 2023
Content summary: The number of staff recruited and leaving providers in the last 12 months.  This refers to the number recruited to and leaving a particular provider, not necessarily the number recruited to and leaving the childcare sector as a whole.

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name    |  Variable description
---------------  |  --------------------------------------
provider_type    |  Provider type
staff_leaving    |  Number of staff leaving providers
staff_recruited  |  Number of staff recruited to providers

Footnotes:

1. All figures have been rounded to the nearest 100. They may not add up to totals due to rounding.
2. Refers to staff joining and leaving the provider that was surveyed - not necessarily the childcare sector as a whole


Staff turnover

Filename: sceyp23_staff_turnover.csv
Geographic levels: National
Time period: 2022 to 2023
Content summary: A time series of staff turnover rates, broken down by provider type.  Staff turnover rates are the number of staff who left employment during the period expressed as a percentage of the total number of staff employed at the start of the period.

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name    |  Variable description
---------------  |  ---------------
provider_type    |  Provider type
staff_turnover   |  Staff turnover
unweighted_base  |  Unweighted base

Footnotes:

1. Staff turnover rates are the number of paid childcare staff who left employment during the period expressed as a percentage of the total number of paid childcare staff employed at the start of the period.


Destination of staff leaving

Filename: sceyp23_desintation_of_staff_leaving.csv
Geographic levels: National
Time period: 2023
Content summary: The proportion of staff leaving childcare providers in the previous 12 months: to join another childcare provider; to work in a school (with children of school age); to work outside of childcare; to retire; and to go to an "other" destination, broken down by provider type.

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name  |  Variable description
-------------  |  -------------------
destination    |  Destination
proportion     |  Proportion of staff
provider_type  |  Provider type

Footnotes:

1. Due to the small number of staff reported on the survey leaving maintained nursery schools, figures for "all school-based providers" are grouped together.


Qualification level of staff leaving

Filename: sceyp23_qual_level_of_staff_leaving.csv
Geographic levels: National
Time period: 2023
Content summary: The proportion of staff leaving childcare providers in the last 12 months, broken down by their highest level of qualification and provider type.

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name  |  Variable description
-------------  |  -------------------
proportion     |  Proportion of staff
provider_type  |  Provider type
qual_level     |  Qualification level

Footnotes:

1. A very small proportion of staff have an overseas qualification as their highest level of qualification.  These staff are included in "no UK early years qualification".
2. Due to the small number of staff reported on the survey leaving maintained nursery schools, figures for "all school-based providers" are grouped together.


Proportion of staff qualified to different levels

Filename: sceyp23_proportion_of_staff_qualified_to_different_levels.csv
Geographic levels: National
Time period: 2018 to 2023
Content summary: A time series of the proportion of paid staff qualified to different levels.  Temporary staff are included but volunteer staff and apprentices are excluded.

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name  |  Variable description
-------------  |  -------------------------------------------
percent        |  Proportion of staff qualified to this level
provider_type  |  Provider type
qual_level     |  Highest level of qualification

Footnotes:

1. Includes temporary staff but excludes volunteer staff and apprentices. Staff that do not work directly with children e.g. administrative staff are excluded.
2. Figures show the highest level of qualification held in early years and teaching-related subjects.
3. A very small proportion of staff have an overseas qualification as their highest level of qualification.  These staff are included in "no UK early years qualification".


Proportion of Level 6 staff holding different qualifications

Filename: sceyp23_proportion_of_l6_staff_hold_different_qualifications.csv
Geographic levels: National
Time period: 2021 to 2023
Content summary: A time series of the proportion of staff qualified to Level 6 who hold different Level 6 qualifications.

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name    |  Variable description
---------------  |  -------------------------------------------------------------
percentage       |  Proportion of staff who hold different Level 6 qualifications
provider_type    |  Provider Type
qual             |  Qualification
unweighted_base  |  Unweighted base

Footnotes:

1. [u] Statistics based on an "unweighted base" (sample size) of less than 10 are not shown. Statistics based on an "unweighted base" of 10 or greater but less than 30 should be treated with caution and are only indicative.
2. It is possible to hold multiple qualifications at Level 6. As a result the sum across qualification types may exceed 100%.


Proportion of staff by gender

Filename: sceyp23_staff_by_gender.csv
Geographic levels: National
Time period: 2023
Content summary: A breakdown of childcare staff by gender and provider type.

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name    |  Variable description
---------------  |  -------------------
gender           |  Gender
percentage       |  Percentage of staff
provider_type    |  Provider type
unweighted_base  |  Unweighted base

Footnotes:

1. Includes temporary staff but excludes volunteer staff and apprentices. Staff that do not work directly with children e.g. administrative staff are excluded.
2. Due to the small number of males reported on the survey as working in maintained nursery schools and voluntary group-based providers, figures for these provider types are not shown in the tables.  Instead, figures for "all school-based providers" and for "all group-based providers" are grouped together


Proportion of staff by ethnicity

Filename: sceyp23_staff_by_ethnicity.csv
Geographic levels: National
Time period: 2023
Content summary: A breakdown of childcare staff by ethnicity and provider type.

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name    |  Variable description
---------------  |  -------------------
ethnicity        |  Ethnicity
percentage       |  Percentage of staff
provider_type    |  Provider type
unweighted_base  |  Unweighted base

Footnotes:

1. Includes temporary staff but excludes volunteer staff and apprentices. Staff that do not work directly with children e.g. administrative staff are excluded.
2. [u] Statistics based on an "unweighted base" (sample size) of less than 10 are not shown. Statistics based on an "unweighted base" of 10 or greater but less than 30 should be treated with caution and are only indicative.
3. Due to the small number of non-"White British" staff reported on the survey as working in maintained nursery schools, figures for "all school-based providers" are grouped together.


Proportion of staff by age

Filename: sceyp23_staff_by_age.csv
Geographic levels: National
Time period: 2023
Content summary: A breakdown of childcare staff by age and provider type.

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name    |  Variable description
---------------  |  -------------------
age_group        |  Age group
percentage       |  Percentage of staff
provider_type    |  Provider type
unweighted_base  |  Unweighted base

Footnotes:

1. Includes temporary staff but excludes volunteer staff and apprentices. Staff that do not work directly with children e.g. administrative staff are excluded.


Staff to child ratios under 2s

Filename: sceyp23_staff_to_child_ratios_under2s.csv
Geographic levels: National
Time period: 2021 to 2023
Content summary: A time series of the ratio of staff to children aged under 2 in group-based providers.

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name    |  Variable description
---------------  |  -----------------------
percentage       |  Percentage of providers
provider_type    |  Provider type
ratio            |  Staff : child ratio
unweighted_base  |  Unweighted base

Footnotes:

1. A ratio of less than 1:3 is more generous than the statutory minimum as there are fewer children per member of staff


Staff to child ratios 2 year olds

Filename: sceyp23_staff_to_child_ratios_2-y-olds.csv
Geographic levels: National
Time period: 2021 to 2023
Content summary: A time series of the ratio of staff to children aged 2 in group-based providers.

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name    |  Variable description
---------------  |  -----------------------
percentage       |  Percentage of providers
provider_type    |  Provider type
ratio            |  Staff : child ratio
unweighted_base  |  Unweighted base

Footnotes:

1. A ratio of less than 1:4 is more generous than the statutory minimum as there are fewer children per member of staff


Staff to child ratios 3 and 4 year olds

Filename: sceyp23_staff_to_child_ratios_3-4yos.csv
Geographic levels: National
Time period: 2021 to 2023
Content summary: A time series of the ratio of staff to children aged 3 and 4 in group-based and school-based providers.

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name    |  Variable description
---------------  |  -----------------------
percentage       |  Percentage of providers
provider_type    |  Provider type
ratio            |  Staff : child ratio
unweighted_base  |  Unweighted base

Footnotes:

1. A ratio of less than 1:8 is more generous than the statutory minimum as there are fewer children per member of staff. The statutory ratio is 1:13 if the staff member is qualified to Level 6.


Awareness of exceptional circumstances staff to child ratio allowance

Filename: sceyp23_staff_child_ratios_exceptional_circumstance.csv
Geographic levels: National
Time period: 2023
Content summary: The proportion of providers that are aware of and have used the exceptional circumstances allowance regarding staff to child ratios, broken down by provider type.

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name      |  Variable description
-----------------  |  -----------------------
aware_allownace    |  Awareness of allowance
percent_providers  |  Percentage of providers
provider_type      |  Provider type
unweighted_base    |  Unweighted base

Footnotes:

1. [u] Statistics based on an "unweighted base" (sample size) of less than 10 are not shown. Statistics based on an "unweighted base" of 10 or greater but less than 30 should be treated with caution and are only indicative.


Breakdown of total provider costs

Filename: sceyp23_breakdown_of_total_provider_costs.csv
Geographic levels: National
Time period: 2023
Content summary: A breakdown of childcare providers' total costs into different categories

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name     |  Variable description
----------------  |  ------------------------------------------
business_rates    |  Business rates
energy            |  Energy bills
food              |  Food costs
materials         |  Materials such as books, toys or equipment
other             |  Other costs
provider_type     |  Provider type
recruiting_staff  |  Recruiting staff
rent_mortage      |  Rent or mortgage payments
staff             |  Staffing costs
training          |  Training costs

Footnotes:

1. Childminder costs are not directly comparable with group-based provider and school-based provider costs. Childminders were not asked about their rent / mortgage or energy bills, because they work from their own home and would have to pay at least some of these costs, even if they didn't run a childminding business. Childminder "staffing costs" are the sum of the amount that they pay their assistant(s) (if they have one) and the amount that they pay themselves in the form of a salary.
2. Childminders do not have to pay business rates.
3. "Nursery class childcare settings" often deliver classes to school-age children alongside their nursery provision. For these providers, it is difficult to estimate how much of the providers' overhead costs - such as energy bills and business rates - are accounted for by nursery classes and how much are accounted for by other parts of the school. Therefore, unlike group-based providers, who were asked to report them separately, for school-based providers these costs were reported in "other costs".


15 hour entitlement 2 year olds

Filename: sceyp23_15_hour_entitlement_2yos.csv
Geographic levels: National
Time period: 2021 to 2023
Content summary: A time series of the number and proportion of providers providing childcare to one or more 2 year olds funded through the 15-hour entitlement.  See Section 8 of the release for more details of the different entitlements.

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name    |  Variable description
---------------  |  -----------------------
percentage       |  Percentage of providers
provider_type    |  Provider type
unweighted_base  |  Unweighted base

Footnotes:

1. Excludes providers that do not look after any 2-year-old children


15 hour entitlement 3 and 4 year olds

Filename: sceyp23_15_hour_entitlement_3_and_4yos.csv
Geographic levels: National
Time period: 2021 to 2023
Content summary: A time series of the number and proportion of providers providing childcare to one or more 3 and 4 year olds funded through the 15-hour entitlement.  See Section 8 of the release for more details of the different entitlements.

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name    |  Variable description
---------------  |  -----------------------
percentage       |  Percentage of providers
provider_type    |  Provider type
unweighted_base  |  Unweighted base

Footnotes:

1. Excludes providers that do not look after any 3- or 4-year-old children


30 hour entitlement 3 and 4 year olds

Filename: sceyp23_30_hour_entitlement_3_and_4yos.csv
Geographic levels: National
Time period: 2021 to 2023
Content summary: A time series of the number and proportion of providers providing childcare to one or more 3 and 4 year olds funded through the 30-hour entitlement.  See Section 8 of the release for more details of the different entitlements.

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name    |  Variable description
---------------  |  -----------------------
percentage       |  Percentage of providers
provider_type    |  Provider type
unweighted_base  |  Unweighted base

Footnotes:

1. Excludes providers that do not look after any 3- or 4-year-old children


Parents use funded hours throughout year

Filename: sceyp23_parents_use_funded_hours_throughout_year.csv
Geographic levels: National
Time period: 2023
Content summary: The proportion of providers that provide entitlements throughout the year.  See Section 8 of the release for more details of the different entitlements.

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name     |  Variable description
----------------  |  ---------------------------------------------------------
entitlement_type  |  Entitlement type
provider_type     |  Provider type
term_time_only    |  Parents can use funded hours during school term-time only
throughout_year   |  Parents can use funded hours throughout the year
unweighted_base   |  Unweighted base

Footnotes:

1. There are a very small number of providers where parents can only use funded hours outside of the school term.  These are excluded from the tables.


Parents use funded hours throughout day

Filename: sceyp23_parents_use_funded_hours_throughout_day.csv
Geographic levels: National
Time period: 2023
Content summary: The proportion of providers that provide entitlements without any restrictions.  See Section 8 of the release for more details of the different entitlements.

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name     |  Variable description
----------------  |  ---------------------------------------------------------
entitlement_type  |  Entitlement type
no_restrictions   |  Percentage of providers with no funding restrictions
provider_type     |  Provider type
restricted        |  Percentage of providers that restrict funding in some way
unweighted_base   |  Unweighted base


Providers signed up to receive TFC

Filename: sceyp23_providers_signed_up_to_receive_tfc.csv
Geographic levels: National
Time period: 2018 to 2023
Content summary: A time series of the proportion of providers that are signed up to receive Tax-Free Childcare payments, broken down by provider type.  See Section 8 of the release for more details of Tax-Free Childcare.

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name    |  Variable description
---------------  |  -----------------------
percentage       |  Percentage of providers
provider_type    |  Provider type
unweighted_base  |  Unweighted base


Parents paying using TFC

Filename: sceyp23_parents_paying_using_tfc.csv
Geographic levels: National
Time period: 2023
Content summary: The proportion and average number of children with parents paying fees using Tax-Free Childcare, broken down by provider type.

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name    |  Variable description
---------------  |  ---------------------------------------
number           |  Mean number of parents paying using TFC
percentage       |  Proportion of parents paying using TFC
provider_type    |  Provider type
unweighted_base  |  Unweighted base


Providers caring for SEND children

Filename: sceyp23_providers_caring_for_send_children.csv
Geographic levels: National
Time period: 2018 to 2023
Content summary: A time series of the proportion of providers caring for at least one child with SEND, broken down by provider type.

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name    |  Variable description
---------------  |  -----------------------
percentage       |  Percentage of providers
provider_type    |  Provider type
unweighted_base  |  Unweighted base


Proportion of children with SEND

Filename: sceyp23_proportion_of_children_with_send.csv
Geographic levels: National
Time period: 2022 to 2023
Content summary: A time series of the proportion of children registered with providers with SEND, broken down by provider type.

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name    |  Variable description
---------------  |  --------------------------------
percentage       |  Percentage of children with SEND
provider_type    |  Provider type
unweighted_base  |  Unweighted base

Footnotes:

1. The proportion is defined as the number of children with SEND divided by the number of registered places.


Proportion of providers that employ or have access to a SENCO

Filename: sceyp23_providers_with_access_to_senco.csv
Geographic levels: National
Time period: 2023
Content summary: The proportion of providers that employ and / or have access to a Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCO), broken down by provider type.

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name    |  Variable description
---------------  |  -----------------------
percentage       |  Percentage of providers
provider_type    |  Provider type
senco_category   |  Access to SENCO
unweighted_base  |  Unweighted base

Footnotes:

1. [u] Statistics based on an "unweighted base" (sample size) of less than 10 are not shown. Statistics based on an "unweighted base" of 10 or greater but less than 30 should be treated with caution and are only indicative.
2. Figures add up to more than 100 per cent as some providers have both a colleague designated as a SENCO and access to an external SENCO


Mean and median hourly fee by child age and provider type

Filename: sceyp23_mean_and_median_fee_by_child_age_and_provider_type.csv
Geographic levels: National
Time period: 2023
Content summary: Mean and median hourly fees charged by childcare providers to parents, broken down by child age and provider type.

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name      |  Variable description
-----------------  |  -----------------
age_group          |  Age group
mean_hourly_fee    |  Mean hourly fee
median_hourly_fee  |  Median hourly fee
provider_type      |  Provider type
unweighted_base    |  Unweighted base


Proportion of providers increasing fees

Filename: sceyp23_proportion_of_providers_increasing_fees.csv
Geographic levels: National
Time period: 2019 to 2023
Content summary: A time series of the proportion of providers who reported increasing fees charged to parents in the previous 12 months, broken down by child age and by provider type.  Only a very small proportion of children aged under 2 are enrolled at school-based providers so figures for fees for under 2s enrolled at school-based providers are based on small sample sizes.

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name         |  Variable description
--------------------  |  ---------------------------------------
age_group             |  Age group
percent_increase_fee  |  Percentage of providers increasing fees
provider_type         |  Provider type


Mean and median hourly fee for children under 2 by provider type

Filename: sceyp23_mean_and_median_fee_for_children_under_2_by_provider_type.csv
Geographic levels: National
Time period: 2018 to 2023
Content summary: A time series of mean and median hourly fees charged by childcare providers to parents for children under 2, broken down by provider type.  Only a very small proportion of children aged under 2 are enrolled at school-based providers so figures for fees for under 2s enrolled at school-based providers are based on small sample sizes.

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name      |  Variable description
-----------------  |  -----------------
mean_hourly_fee    |  Mean hourly fee
median_hourly_fee  |  Median hourly fee
provider_type      |  Provider type
unweighted_base    |  Unweighted base


Mean and median hourly fee for children aged 2 by provider type

Filename: sceyp23_mean_and_median_fee_for_children_aged_2_by_provider_type.csv
Geographic levels: National
Time period: 2018 to 2023
Content summary: A time series of mean and median hourly fees charged by childcare providers to parents for children aged 2, broken down by provider type.

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name      |  Variable description
-----------------  |  -----------------
mean_hourly_fee    |  Mean hourly fee
median_hourly_fee  |  Median hourly fee
provider_type      |  Provider type
unweighted_base    |  Unweighted base


Mean and median hourly fee for children aged 3 and 4 by provider type

Filename: sceyp23_mean_and_median_fee_for_children_aged_3_and_4_by_provider_type.csv
Geographic levels: National
Time period: 2018 to 2023
Content summary: A time series of mean and median hourly fees charged by childcare providers to parents for children aged 3 and 4, broken down by provider type.

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name      |  Variable description
-----------------  |  -----------------
mean_hourly_fee    |  Mean hourly fee
median_hourly_fee  |  Median hourly fee
provider_type      |  Provider type
unweighted_base    |  Unweighted base


Mean and median hourly fee for children under 2 by region

Filename: sceyp23_mean_and_median_fee_for_children_under_2_by_region.csv
Geographic levels: Regional
Time period: 2018 to 2023
Content summary: A time series of mean and median fees charged by childcare providers to parents for chidren aged under 2, broken down by region and provider type.

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name      |  Variable description
-----------------  |  -----------------
mean_hourly_fee    |  Mean hourly fee
median_hourly_fee  |  Median hourly fee
unweighted_base    |  Unweighted base


Mean and median hourly fee for children aged 2 by region

Filename: sceyp23_mean_and_median_fee_for_children_aged_2_by_region.csv
Geographic levels: Regional
Time period: 2018 to 2023
Content summary: A time series of mean and median fees charged by childcare providers to parents for chidren aged 2, broken down by region and provider type.

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name      |  Variable description
-----------------  |  -----------------
mean_hourly_fee    |  Mean hourly fee
median_hourly_fee  |  Median hourly fee
unweighted_base    |  Unweighted base


Mean and median hourly fee for children aged 3 and 4 by region

Filename: sceyp23_mean_and_median_fee_for_children_aged_3_and_4_by_region.csv
Geographic levels: Regional
Time period: 2018 to 2023
Content summary: A time series of mean and median fees charged by childcare providers to parents for chidren aged 3 and 4, broken down by region and provider type.

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name      |  Variable description
-----------------  |  -----------------
mean_hourly_fee    |  Mean hourly fee
median_hourly_fee  |  Median hourly fee
unweighted_base    |  Unweighted base


Mean and median hourly fee for children aged 2 by LA

Filename: sceyp23_mean_and_median_fee_for_children_aged_2_by_la.csv
Geographic levels: Local authority
Time period: 2023
Content summary: Mean and median parent-paid fees for children aged 2 broken down by local authority.  In order to help interpret the mean, the table shows 95% confidence intervals.  Based on the responses we received to the survey, we can be 95% confident that the mean for all providers in the local authority lies between the lower and upper values.  Figures for some local authorities are based on small sample sizes (less than 30).

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name      |  Variable description
-----------------  |  -----------------
lower_ci           |  Lower 95% CI
mean_hourly_fee    |  Mean hourly fee
median_hourly_fee  |  Median hourly fee
unweighted_base    |  Unweighted base
upper_ci           |  Upper 95% CI

Footnotes:

1. Due to insufficient sample size, data on parent-paid fees charged by childcare providers in Middlesbrough for children aged 2 are unavailable.  An estimate has been made of the mean fee charged by providers in Middlesbrough based on average fees data for Middlesbrough in 2022 and the increase in average fees for children aged 3 and 4 in Middlesbrough between 2022 and 2023.


Mean and median hourly fee for children aged 3 and 4 by LA

Filename: sceyp23_mean_and_median_fee_for_children_aged_3_and_4_by_la.csv
Geographic levels: Local authority
Time period: 2023
Content summary: Mean and median parent-paid fees for children aged 3 and 4 broken down by local authority.  In order to help interpret the mean, the table shows 95% confidence intervals.  Based on the responses we received to the survey, we can be 95% confident that the mean for all providers in the local authority lies between the lower and upper values.  Figures for some local authorities are based on small sample sizes (less than 30).

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name      |  Variable description
-----------------  |  -----------------
lower_ci           |  Lower 95% CI
mean_hourly_fee    |  Mean hourly fee
median_hourly_fee  |  Median hourly fee
unweighted_base    |  Unweighted base
upper_ci           |  Upper 95% CI

Footnotes:

1. Due to insufficient sample size, data on parent-paid fees charged by childcare providers in Rutland for children aged 3 and 4 are unavailable.  An estimate has been made of the mean fee charged by providers in Rutland based on average fees data for Rutland in 2022 and the increase in average fees for children aged 2 in Rutland between 2022 and 2023.


Mean and median hourly funding rate for children aged 2 by provider type

Filename: sceyp23_mean_and_median_funding_rate_for_children_aged_2_by_provider_type.csv
Geographic levels: National
Time period: 2022 to 2023
Content summary: A time series of the mean and median funding rates paid by the government to childcare providers for children aged 2, broken down by provider type.

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name       |  Variable description
------------------  |  --------------------------
mean_hourly_rate    |  Mean hourly funding rate
median_hourly_rate  |  Median hourly funding rate
provider_type       |  Provider type
unweighted_base     |  Unweighted base


Mean and median hourly funding rate for children aged 3 and 4 by provider type

Filename: sceyp23_mean_and_median_funding_rate_for_children_aged_3_and_4_by_provider_type.csv
Geographic levels: National
Time period: 2022 to 2023
Content summary: A time series of the mean and median funding rates paid by the government to childcare providers for children aged 3 and 4, broken down by provider type.

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name       |  Variable description
------------------  |  --------------------------
mean_hourly_rate    |  Mean hourly funding rate
median_hourly_rate  |  Median hourly funding rate
provider_type       |  Provider type
unweighted_base     |  Unweighted base


Mean and median hourly funding rate for children aged 2 by region

Filename: sceyp23_mean_and_median_funding_rate_for_children_aged_2_by_region.csv
Geographic levels: Regional
Time period: 2022 to 2023
Content summary: A time series of the mean and median funding rates paid by the government to childcare providers for children aged 2, broken down by region and provider type.

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name       |  Variable description
------------------  |  --------------------------
mean_hourly_rate    |  Mean hourly funding rate
median_hourly_rate  |  Median hourly funding rate
unweighted_base     |  Unweighted base


Mean and median hourly funding rate for children aged 3 and 4 by region

Filename: sceyp23_mean_and_median_funding_rate_for_children_aged_3_and_4_by_region.csv
Geographic levels: Regional
Time period: 2022 to 2023
Content summary: A time series of the mean and median funding rates paid by the government to childcare providers for children aged 3 and 4, broken down by region and provider type.

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name       |  Variable description
------------------  |  --------------------------
mean_hourly_rate    |  Mean hourly funding rate
median_hourly_rate  |  Median hourly funding rate
unweighted_base     |  Unweighted base


Difference between mean fee and funding by region

Filename: sceyp23_difference_between_mean_fee_and_funding_rate_by_region.csv
Geographic levels: Regional
Time period: 2022 to 2023
Content summary: A time series of the difference between mean fees charged by childcare providers to parents and funding rates paid by the government to childcare providers, broken down by region and provider type.

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name    |  Variable description
---------------  |  -------------------------------------------------
age_group        |  Age group
difference       |  Difference between mean funding rate and mean fee
unweighted_base  |  Unweighted base

Footnotes:

1. Values are less than zero where average funding rates are higher than average fees and greater than zero where average fees are higher than average funding rates.


Mean and median hourly fee by child age and region

Filename: sceyp23_mean_and_median_fee_by_child_age_and_region.csv
Geographic levels: Regional
Time period: 2023
Content summary: Mean and median hourly parent-paid fee broken down by child age and region.

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name      |  Variable description
-----------------  |  -----------------
age_group          |  Age group
mean_hourly_fee    |  Mean hourly fee
median_hourly_fee  |  Median hourly fee
unweighted_base    |  Unweighted base


Staff earning below NLW

Filename: sceyp23_staff_earning_below_nlw.csv
Geographic levels: National
Time period: 2023
Content summary: The proportion of staff paid below the National Living Wage, broken down by provider type.

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name    |  Variable description
---------------  |  ----------------------------
percentage       |  Percentage earning below NLW
provider_type    |  Provider type
unweighted_base  |  Unweighted base

Footnotes:

1. Average hourly salaries have been derived differently to previous years.  This has reduced the proportion of staff estimated to earn below the National Living Wage.  See "further details" for more information.


Headline statistics

Filename: sceyp23_headline_stats.csv
Geographic levels: National
Time period: 2023
Content summary: The total number of childcare providers, registered places and paid staff.  Mean parent-paid fees charged by providers for children aged under 2, children aged 2 and children aged 3 and 4.

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name            |  Variable description
-----------------------  |  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2_Fees                   |  Mean hourly parent-paid fee charged by providers for children aged 2
3-4_Fees                 |  Mean hourly parent-paid fee charged by providers for preschool children aged 3 and 4
Total_Providers          |  Total estimated number of childcare providers in England with at least one child aged 0-4 registered with them
Total_Registered_Places  |  Total estimated number of registered childcare places in England
Total_Workforce          |  Total estimated number of paid childcare staff
Under2_Fees              |  Mean hourly parent-paid fee charged by providers for children aged under 2
