The DfE estimates that as of September 16, 697,000 children were attending daycare – about 54 percent of the number who usually attend settings during school time.

However, due to the fact that many children attend EY facilities part-time, the DfE said it would not expect all children to be present on the day of data collection.

On a typical day in the fall term, the department said it expects attendance to be 912,000, due to different childcare arrangements and part-time during the week. He estimates that the 697,000 children currently attending early childhood facilities represent about 76 percent of the usual daily level.

The DfE has collected The data on early childhood attendance since April 2020 on a weekly basis, and until the summer, on a bimonthly basis. He had originally planned to complete data collection at the end of the summer term, however, after considering the “needs of a range of users”, it was decided to continue collecting and publishing data on a monthly basis for the remainder of the year. .

Opinions will be sought on future projects towards the end of the fall session.

The National Day Nurseries Association said the numbers were “of great concern for children’s learning and the sustainability of the nursery.”

General Manager Purnima Tanuku explained, “With attendance now at almost half of what it should be, these statistics show that early childhood providers will face very difficult situations this quarter and beyond. winter months, which is why we want this underfunding to be resolved. urgently. The government needs to start making real investments in the future of children.

School figures

The same data includes figures on school attendance, it shows that 92% of students were in state-funded schools on September 16.

Primary school attendance was 93.5 percent.

The NAHT union said the numbers reflect the latest changes in government policy regarding self-isolation when there is a positive case.

Secretary-General Paul Whiteman warned, however, that the “numbers mask some important issues at the local level”, and that it is crucial that central and local government are on “high alert” and “ready to respond quickly” if and when cases increase rapidly or epidemics occur.

Commenting on the numbers, Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi said: “My priority is to make sure the children are in school and returning to face-to-face learning. It’s the best place for them, so it’s fantastic to see over 91 percent of them back in class with their teachers and friends, up from 87 percent at the same time last year.

“As Secretary of Education, I will work closely with school leaders and all those working in education to keep children learning and help them catch up through our national tutoring program. “

• The latest statistics are available here