Statutory – Early Years Census (3.87)

Description

This release supports the following changes to the 2026 Census:

  • The Census date is 15th Jan 2026.
  • Census Date, Collection dates and Submission dates have been updated.
  • Uses the DfE provided XSD schema files to validate the generated data.

The 2026 census has been updated to accommodate the September 2025 changes. This is where eligible children from 9 months to 4 years are entitled to up to 30 hours of childcare per week (up to 1140 hour per year).

This update includes the collection of additional data for under 1’s and 1 year olds. It also includes the expanded hours allowed per child.

DfE requested changes

As a part of new requirements, the DfE do not want to collect No. of Funding Weeks from the 2025 Census. The field has been removed from the following areas:

  • Provider Self Update Portal | Early Years Census | Availability and Opening Times
  • v4 | Focus | Early Years | Census Return | Census Return Batch Details | Panel 02. Providers | Service and Details | 02. Census Return Establishment Details | Availability and Opening Times

Census Return Establishment Details/Self Update Portal

  • v4 | Focus | Early Years | Census Return | Census Return Batch Details | Panel 02. Providers | Service and Details | 0.2 Census Return Establishment Details | Children By Age
  • SUPP | Self Update | Census Information | Early Years Census

Two new fields added:

  • Number of under 1 year olds
  • Number of 1 year olds

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Census Return Pupils Children Details

  • v4 | Focus | Early Years | Census Return | Census Return Batch Details | Panel 02. Providers | Service and Details | 0.3 Census Return Pupils Children Details

Updated to include all funded 1 year olds and under for a provider.

Other changes

  • New data items added to the <PupilChildStatistics> module 
    • <EYUnder1s> (N00816)
    • <EY1Years> (N00817)
  • Existing data items
    • ​​​​​​​Expanded Hours (N00787) has been amended to allow up to 30 hours to be claimed
    • Individual <PupilChild> details for FUNDED under 1YO’s and 1YO’s included in the <PupilsChildren> section
  • Deleted data items
    No data items have been deleted
  • Error checking/Validations
    Updated for new data items

Helpfiles updated

Census Dates

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