Social Justice - a Scotland where everyone matters: Indicators of Progress 2003

Listen

Social Justice
a Scotland where everyone matters
Indicators of Progress 2003

Milestone 4: All children will have access to quality care and early learning before entering school

This milestone relates to the key commitment to provide part-time pre-school education to all 3 and 4 year olds whose parents or guardians request it. Information is provided through the pre-school education grant scheme and through a census of pre-school education centres.

Participation Rates of 3 and 4 year olds

The information from local authorities shows increases in the percentage of all 3 and 4 year olds receiving pre-school education. The percentage of 4 year olds receiving a place has increased from 97 per cent to 99 per cent between summer 1999/00 and 2002/03 and the percentage of 3 year olds receiving a place increased from 68 per cent to 88 per cent over the same period.

Table 4a: Participation rates of 3 and 4 year olds, summer terms 1999/00 - 2002/03

3 year old

4 year old

3 and 4 year old

1999/00

68

97

83

2000/01

80

97

88

2001/02

85

96

90

2002/03

88

99

94

Source: Scottish Executive - Pre-school Education Grant Scheme and Local Authority Key Statistics

Background data

The following background data corresponds to the charts and commentary included in this milestone.

Table 4b: Number of 3 and 4 year olds in Nursery / Pre - school, 1994/95 - 2002/03

Year

Local Authority Provision

All Provision

1994/95 (September)

48,954

-

1995/96 (September)

49,020

-

1996/97 (September)

50,117

-

1997/98 (September)

53,260

-

1998/99 (February)

63,072

77,695

1999/00 (September)

66,719

88,799

2000/01 (January)

72,797

98,837

2001/02 (January)

72,566

98,769

2002/03 (January)

75,234

105,078

Source: Scottish Executive - Pre-school and daycare census
Note: The data collections were taken at different point in the year

Available data and references

The statistics from pre-school education grant scheme provide information at local authority and national level. The information collected through the census of pre-school education centres can provide data split by age.

Pre-School Education Participation Rate 2002-03
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/about/ED/EEC/00015135/page1105282989.aspx

Summary results of the 2003 Pre-school and Daycare Census
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/stats/bulletins/00264-00.asp

Page updated: Tuesday, April 04, 2006