The instructions on this page were different in the following release(s):
3.87 | 3.86

Data Collected in the Early Years Census

Release Notes Spring 2026 (3.88)
Early Years Census

The Early Years census collects two sets of data:

  • Establishment level data relating to early years providers.
    • Establishment Characteristics
    • Staff Information
    • Child Statistics
      information collected is based on those PVI settings that have any funded children (aged 4 years and under) at the time of the census. In such settings, a separate count is required for both funded and unfunded.
  • Child level data relating to children accessing funded early years education.
    • Child Identifiers
      contains the child’s name, date of birth and gender.
    • Child Characteristics
      contains the child’s ethnic code (optional), the number of universal and extended hours, thirty hours codes, disability access fund, number of hours at the setting, total funded hours (Spring), and the EY pupil premium.
    • Child SEN
      contains the child’s special educational needs and disability (SEND) provision.
    • Home Information
      contains the child’s home address.

Provider Eligibility

A provider is eligible to be included in the census return if the following conditions are met:

  • They have at least one funded service that has an active registration during the census week and is registered for the Nursery Education Grant/Fund.
  • The registration start date, if recorded, must be on or before the end of the census week and the registration end date, if recorded, must be on or after the start of the census week.

Provider Availability and Opening Times

Provider service availability and opening times are collected as follows:

  • There must be an active Opening Dates and Times record with a start date that is on or before the census date.
  • The end date of the Opening Dates and Times record, if recorded, must be on or after the census date.

The census collects the earliest start time and latest end time for each day.

Child Eligibility

Children are included in the census return if all of the following conditions are met:

  • They have an active school history with the provider.
  • Their school history start date is on or before the end of the census week.
  • Their school history end date is on or after the start of the census week or is blank.
  • They are displayed on the Children panel in the v4 Client via Focus | Early Years | Search for Funded Services and:
    • Their Period Start Date is on or before the end of the census week.
    • Their Period End Date is on or after the start of the census week.
    • Their Status is not cancelled (CANC).
    • They have both Actual Hours Week and Universal Pay Hours Week or Extended Pay Hours Week recorded.