The Early Years Census is a statutory collection of all English providers of funded early years education in the Private, Voluntary and Independent sectors. Data are collected at child-level for 3 and 4 year olds extended to 2 year olds from 2014, receiving funded early education. Characteristics of these children are collected including date of birth, gender, ethnicity, and other information around their attendance, such as funded hours and hours at setting.
The Early Years Census was first collected at child-level in 2008. It is an annual collection based on a snapshot of the position at the provider as at the 3rd week in January. Prior to 2008, data were collected at aggregate level.