Summary Results of the 1999-2000 Census of Pre-School Education
Centres
Summary results from the 1999-2000 Census of Pre-school Education Centres
are published today by the Scottish Executive Education Department.
The majority of these results relate to the national picture for Scotland of
pre-school education centres registered with the Scottish Executive or working
in partnership with Local Authorities and the Scottish Executive.
The main findings are: -
- At September 1999, there were 2,213 pre-school education centres in Scotland.
Over 60 per cent of these were Local Authority pre-school centres registered
with the Scottish Executive Education Department.
- Around 89,000 children were attending pre-school education centres in Scotland
at September 1999. Three-quarters were attending Local Authority pre-school
centres and most of the remainder were in centres in partnership with the
Local Authority.
- Over 57,000 children attending pre-school centres were in their pre-school
year, and a further 28,000 were in their ante pre-school year. Of the 3,000
children who had deferred entry to Primary one, 63 per cent were boys and
20 per cent had special educational needs.
- At September 1999, the number of qualified teachers (FTE) was around 1,570.
The vast majority of these, 85 per cent, were in Local Authority pre-school
centres. The average child/teacher ratio in pre-school education centres was
estimated to be 28.5. In Local Authority pre-school centres the child/teacher
ratio was 25.5, as compared to 53.6 in partnership pre-school centres.
- At September 1999, the total number of all staff (FTE) in pre-school education
centres was over 7,200. The majority of these, 64 per cent were in Local Authority
pre-school centres. The average child/all staff (including teachers) ratio
in all pre-school education centres was estimated to be 6.2. In Local Authority
pre-school centres the child/staff ratio was 7.3, as compared to 4.1 in partnership
pre-school centres.
- Over three-quarters of all children in pre-school centres attend for 5 half
days per week. Eighty-five per cent of children in their pre-school year attend
for 5 half days, as compared to 58 per cent of children in their ante pre-school
year, and 76 per cent of children who have deferred entry to Primary one.
Nine per cent of all children attend for more than 5 half days per week and
15 per cent attend for less than 5 half days.
- There were 2,800 children with special educational needs in pre-school centres.
Sixteen per cent of these had a Record of Needs and a further 17 per cent
were being assessed for a Record of Needs.
- Of the 7,200 staff (FTE) working in pre-school centres, 22 per cent were
qualified teachers registered with the General Teaching Council. A further
58 per cent had other qualifications in childcare and education. Over 99 per
cent of staff were female.
- At September 1999, child/staff ratios in pre-school centres were fairly
similar across Local Authorities, ranging from 4.6 to 7.6. Child/teacher ratios
varied to a much greater extent, largely reflecting the differing proportions
of Local Authority, partnership and independent provision.
The following tables are available:
Table 1 - Number of pre-school centres, children
and teachers by type of centre: September 1999
Table 2 - Number of children by year and gender:
September 1999
Table 3 - Number of children by year and mode
of attendance: September 1999
Table 4 - Number of children with special educational
needs (SEN) by year: September 1999
Table 5 - Number of staff by type: September
1999
Table 6 - Number of pre-school centres, children
and teachers by local authority area: September 1999
NOTES TO NEWS EDITORS
1. These results are derived from the census of pre-school education centres,
conducted in September 1999. The census covers all centres registered to provide
pre-school education: that is Local Authority provision; pre-school education
centres working in partnership with Local Authorities and the Scottish Executive;
and independent providers. Returns were received from all pre-school education
centres. The results of the census therefore represent a snapshot of pre-school
education centres in September.
2. These results cover the pre-school and ante pre-school years of pre-school
education only. Children in other years or not receiving education are excluded
from the figures. A complete census of all pre-school and day care centres,
covering all provision for 3 and 4 year olds, as well as some services for older
and younger children, will be carried out for the first time in autumn 2000.
3. The number of children obtained from the census of pre-school education
centres differs slightly from the figures used by the Scottish Executive Education
Department for grant allocation purposes. The grant figures are supplied by
Local Authorities and relate to pre-school education places provided by them
and by private and voluntary centres that they are in partnership with. There
are slight differences in coverage between the two data collections and in the
way in which certain types of children are recorded.
4. The previous census of pre-school education was conducted in February
1999. Responses were received from 1,712 (or 90 per cent) of the 1,902 centres
and gave a total of 79,400 children. No estimates were made to account for the
non-respondents because they were not representative of pre-school centres in
general (they were usually smaller centres, often in rural areas) and no previous
data were available for them. Therefore, the figures for 1998-99 are not based
on a complete response and therefore cannot be compared with the results published
here.
5. A statistical bulletin ‘Summary Results of the September 1999 School
Census’ will be published on 31 July. This provides a range of tables derived
from the census of primary, secondary and special schools, covering areas such
as pupil and teacher numbers, class sizes and special needs.
6. This is a National Statistics publication. National Statistics
are produced to high professional standards set out in the National Statistics
Code of Practice. They undergo regular quality assurance reviews to ensure that
they meet customer needs. They are produced free from any political interference.
Enquiries
7. Public enquiries (non-media) about the information contained in this
News Release should be addressed to Dave Sorensen, Statistician, Scottish Executive
Education Department, Area 1A, Victoria Quay, Edinburgh EH6 6QQ. Telephone 0131
244 0322 or email dave.sorensen@scotland.gov.uk.
8. Media enquires about the information in this News Release should
be addresses to:
Jane Robson: 0131 244 2910
News Release SE2058/2000
19 July 2000
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