Pre-School and Childcare Statistics 2008

The Scottish Government has published 'Pre-School and Childcare Statistics 2008', which presents new statistics on childcare centres and childminders registered with the Care Commission, and childcare centre staff.

The main findings are:

• A total of 198,860 children attended childcare centres during census week, and 25,240 attended childminders. This figure may include some double counting as children are counted once for each centre and/or childminder they attend.

• Just over 96% of children eligible for the ante-pre-school or pre-school year were registered for pre-school education, a total of 96,130 children.

• Sixty-six per cent of children registered for pre-school education had access to a General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS) registered teacher during census week. This includes children whose access was to a teacher providing only ad hoc or occasional support to the centre.

• The percentage of childcare centre staff with a qualification at SVQ level 2 equivalent or above increased by four percentage points on 2007, to 80%.

• The percentage of childminders with a qualification at SVQ level 2 equivalent or above increased by five percentage points to 27%.

Scottish Government News Release: Pre-School and Childcare Statistics 2008 

Scottish Government publication: Pre-School and Childcare Statistics 2008