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Number and percentage of children aged 3, recorded on roll at a maintained school in PLASC, living in Flying Start and non-Flying Start areas, by local authority

See what variables and values are shown in your table

Variable	Visibility	Selected values	Action
Data description	Shown in table	All 2 values	Change values
Local Authority	Shown in table	All 23 values	Change values
Year	Shown in table	All 13 values	Change values
Flying start status	Shown in table	All 3 values	Change values
PLASC status	Shown in table	All 2 values	Change values

Table

Standard shorthand is used in this table: [t] = total, [z] = not applicable.

Data values	Data description	Local Authority	Year	Flying start status	PLASC status
4,581 [t]	Number	Wales	2012/13	Flying Start	Recorded on roll at a maintained school
4,965 [t]	Number	Wales	2012/13	Flying Start	Resident children
26,179 [t]	Number	Wales	2012/13	Non-Flying Start	Recorded on roll at a maintained school
30,152 [t]	Number	Wales	2012/13	Non-Flying Start	Resident children
30,760 [t]	Number	Wales	2012/13	All areas	Recorded on roll at a maintained school
35,117 [t]	Number	Wales	2012/13	All areas	Resident children
6,682 [t]	Number	Wales	2013/14	Flying Start	Recorded on roll at a maintained school
7,195 [t]	Number	Wales	2013/14	Flying Start	Resident children
24,958 [t]	Number	Wales	2013/14	Non-Flying Start	Recorded on roll at a maintained school
28,263 [t]	Number	Wales	2013/14	Non-Flying Start	Resident children
31,640 [t]	Number	Wales	2013/14	All areas	Recorded on roll at a maintained school
35,458 [t]	Number	Wales	2013/14	All areas	Resident children
8,093 [t]	Number	Wales	2014/15	Flying Start	Recorded on roll at a maintained school
8,668 [t]	Number	Wales	2014/15	Flying Start	Resident children
24,097 [t]	Number	Wales	2014/15	Non-Flying Start	Recorded on roll at a maintained school
27,525 [t]	Number	Wales	2014/15	Non-Flying Start	Resident children
32,190 [t]	Number	Wales	2014/15	All areas	Recorded on roll at a maintained school
36,193 [t]	Number	Wales	2014/15	All areas	Resident children
8,507 [t]	Number	Wales	2015/16	Flying Start	Recorded on roll at a maintained school
9,096 [t]	Number	Wales	2015/16	Flying Start	Resident children
23,363 [t]	Number	Wales	2015/16	Non-Flying Start	Recorded on roll at a maintained school
26,668 [t]	Number	Wales	2015/16	Non-Flying Start	Resident children
31,870 [t]	Number	Wales	2015/16	All areas	Recorded on roll at a maintained school
35,764 [t]	Number	Wales	2015/16	All areas	Resident children
8,298 [t]	Number	Wales	2016/17	Flying Start	Recorded on roll at a maintained school

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Metadata

The metadata for this dataset is not included when you download the data. You can download this separately. This contains all the information from the 'About this dataset' tab.

Next update expected:October 2026

Updates

• 9th October 2025: Dataset first published.

Main information

• Designation: Official statistics
• Data provider: Welsh Government
• Data source: Pupil Level Annual School Census (PLASC)
• Time period covered: September 2012 to August 2025

Overview

• Summary of dataset and variables:

  This dataset provides data on the numbers of Flying Start children starting Foundation Phase (the statutory curriculum for all 3 to 7 year olds in Wales in both maintained and non-maintained schools), which measures the degree to which Flying Start children are taking-up early years education opportunities. Data is presented for children living in Flying Start and non-Flying Start areas by local authority.

  Flying Start is the Welsh Government early years programme delivered by local authorities in Wales. It is aimed at improving outcomes for families with children under 4 years of age in some of the most disadvantaged areas of Wales.

  Expansion of all four elements of Flying Start began in September 2022, it included: funded part-time, high-quality childcare for 2 year olds; parenting support; enhanced health visitor support; and support for speech, language and communication.

• Data collection or calculation:

  The main source of data used in this statistical release is the Pupil Level Annual School Census (PLASC). Schools’ data are derived from PLASC returns and STATS 1 returns supplied by schools open on Census day in January each year. The returns are authorised by headteachers and validated by Local Authorities.

  Further information on data sources and changes to Flying Start service provision because of the pandemic are detailed in the quality report

• Statistical quality:

  For some local authorities in some years, the number of children recorded on PLASC was greater than the total number of children recorded on NCCHD, resulting in percentage of greater than 100% which has been adjusted to 100%. The local authorities and years affected are:

  • 2012-13: Conwy, Denbighshire, Bridgend, Rhondda Cynon Taf
  • 2013-14: Wrexham
  • 2014-15: Gwynedd, Denbighshire
  • 2015-16: Denbighshire, Bridgend
  • 2016-17: Denbighshire, Caerphilly
  • 2017-18: Gwynedd, Denbighshire, Vale of Glamorgan, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Merthyr Tydfil, Caerphilly
  • 2018-19: Blaenau Gwent
  • 2019-20: Vale of Glamorgan, Merthyr Tydfil
  • 2020-21: Denbighshire, Merthyr Tydfil
  • 2021-22: Denbighshire
  • 2022-23: Denbighshire
  • 2023-24: Gwynedd
  • 2024-25: Denbighshire, Wrexham
• Related reports:
  • Flying Start annual statistical bulletin
  • Flying Start quality report
  • Pupil level annual school census (PLASC)

Published by

• Organisation: Welsh Government
• Contact email: stats.healthinfo@gov.wales