Local area: City of London
Local authority: City of London
City of London in City of London Early years summary
Summary
City of London (E02000001) is part of City of London local authority (view on map). City of London has an approximate population of 11,000 people, of which 2.7% are children 5 years old and under. It is classified as "urban: nearer to a major town or city".
City of London neighbours Hatton Garden & Theobalds Road, Holborn, St Giles & Bloomsbury South, Clerkenwell, Old Street & St Luke's, Spitalfields, Aldgate, St George in the East & Wapping North, Tower Hill & Wapping South, Strand, St James & Mayfair, and Shoreditch.
Headlines for early years in City of London
The data below is only available at local authority level
- 1.4% of pupils are in receipt of the early years pupil premium in City of London compared to 5.1% nationally. This places it among the bottom 10% of areas with pupils receiving the pupil premium
- No pupils under 1 are classed as 'children looked after' in City of London compared to 0.6% nationally. This places it in the bottom 10% of areas with 'children looked after' in this age group
- No pupils in state-funded settings in City of London have an EHC plan compared to 1.4% nationally. This places it among the bottom 10% of areas with pupils that have an EHC plan in state-funded settings
- 0.4% of pupils in City of London have been issued an EHC plan from their local authority compared to 1.6% nationally. This places it among the bottom 10% of areas with pupils that have an EHC plan
- In City of London, 43% of the funded places for 2-year-olds have been taken up, which is lower than the national at 72%. This places it among the bottom 10% of areas
- In City of London, 58% of the funded places for 3-year-olds have been taken up, which is lower than the national at 88%. This places it among the bottom 10% of areas
- In City of London, 43% of the funded places for 4-year-olds have been taken up, which is lower than the national at 92%. This places it among the bottom 10% of areas
- No data was collected for the oral health measure in City of London
Guidance and data sources
Local area pages are based on the middle-layer super output areas (MSOAs) distributed across the country. MSOAs comprise between 2,000 and 6,000 households and have a resident population of, generally, between 5,000 and 15,000 people. MSOAs fit within local authorities. For each area, descriptive statistics are compared with local authority and national averages. For more information about MSOAs, please visit the Office for National Statistics website.
The data displayed is sourced from:
Deprivation
City of London has 26% of children living in low-income families, compared to 38% nationally.
Provider information
Registered childcare providers
City of London has 7 registered childcare providers.
| Type | Number in City of London |
|---|---|
| All childcare providers | 7 |
| Childminders | 0 |
| Pre-school/day nursery/out-of-school care | 7 |
In City of London, there have been 2 full inspections of childcare providers since the introduction of the renewed education inspection framework in November 2025.
Achievement: 1 was graded 'strong standard', and 1 was graded 'expected standard' (of 2).
Behaviour, attitudes and establishing routines: 1 was graded 'strong standard', and 1 was graded 'expected standard' (of 2).
Children's welfare and wellbeing: 1 was graded 'strong standard', and 1 was graded 'expected standard' (of 2).
Curriculum and teaching: 1 was graded 'strong standard', and 1 was graded 'expected standard' (of 2).
Inclusion: 2 were graded 'strong standard' (of 2).
Leadership and governance: 1 was graded 'strong standard', and 1 was graded 'expected standard' (of 2).
The tables below show the outcomes of inspections of childcare providers in City of London. The tables are split by provider type, and show the number of inspections that have taken place for each area, and the outcomes of those inspections.
Contents
All childcare
| Number of inspections | Exceptional | Strong standard | Expected standard | Needs attention | Urgent improvement | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Achievement | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Behaviour, attitudes and establishing routines | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Children's welfare and wellbeing | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Curriculum and teaching | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Inclusion | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Leadership and governance | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Childminders
| Number of inspections | Exceptional | Strong standard | Expected standard | Needs attention | Urgent improvement | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Achievement | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Behaviour, attitudes and establishing routines | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Children's welfare and wellbeing | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Curriculum and teaching | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Inclusion | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Leadership and governance | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Pre-school/day nursery/out-of-school care
| Number of inspections | Exceptional | Strong standard | Expected standard | Needs attention | Urgent improvement | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Achievement | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Behaviour, attitudes and establishing routines | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Children's welfare and wellbeing | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Curriculum and teaching | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Inclusion | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Leadership and governance | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Summary of Ofsted findings
Summary of Ofsted findings
Inspection of City of London’s local authority children’s services
These inspections focus on the effectiveness of local authority services and arrangements:
- to help and protect children, and enable families to stay together and get the help they need
- the experiences and progress of children in care wherever they live, including those children who return home
- the arrangements for permanence for children who are looked after, in stable, loving homes, including adoption
- the experiences and progress of care leavers.
| Inspection type | Inspection start date | Overall effectiveness | Impact of leaders | Help and protection | Children in care | Care leavers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ILACS Short Inspection | 23 September 2024 | Outstanding | Outstanding | Good | Outstanding | Outstanding |
Area SEND inspection of City of London Local Area Partnership
The purpose of an area SEND inspection is to:
- provide an independent, external evaluation of the effectiveness of the local area partnership’s arrangements for children and young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)
- where appropriate, recommend what the local area partnership should do to improve the arrangements.
| Inspection outcome |
|---|
|
City of London was last inspected on 29 September 2025. The local area partnership's SEND arrangements typically lead to positive experiences and outcomes for children and young people with SEND. The local area partnership is taking action where improvements are needed. They were given no areas for priority action. The next full area SEND inspection will be within approximately 5 years. Ofsted and Care Quality Commission (CQC) ask that the local area partnership updates and publishes its strategic plan based on the recommendations set out in this report. |
Joint targeted area inspection of City of London local authority
The agencies for these inspections can include the police, children’s social care, probation services, education and relevant health services. Inspectors will also evaluate how local agencies work with education and childcare providers. The focus of these inspections is how effectively the local safeguarding partners work together at the practice and strategic levels.
| Theme | Inspection start date | Link |
|---|---|---|
| There have been no JTAI inspections for this local authority. | ||
Early years population
Contents
Percentage of City of London population by age group
Table showing percentage of City of London population by age group
| % in City of London | % National | |
|---|---|---|
| Age 5 and under | 2.7% | 6.4% |
| Under 1 year | 0.7% | 1.0% |
| 1 year | 0.5% | 1.0% |
| 2 years | 0.4% | 1.1% |
| 3 years | 0.4% | 1.1% |
| 4 years | 0.4% | 1.1% |
| 5 years | 0.5% | 1.1% |
Local authority context
Early years pupil premium
In City of London, 1.4% of children are receiving the early years pupil premium, compared to 5.1% nationally.
1.4% of pupils are in receipt of the early years pupil premium in City of London compared to 5.1% nationally. This places it among the bottom 10% of areas with pupils receiving the pupil premium.
Children looked after
The percentage of 'children looked after' in City of London is 0% for under 1 year olds and suppressed to protect confidentiality for 1 to 4 year olds. The national average is 0.6% for under 1 year olds and 0.4% for 1 to 4 year olds.
No pupils under 1 are classed as 'children looked after' in City of London compared to 0.6% nationally. This places it in the bottom 10% of areas with 'children looked after' in this age group.
Contents
Table showing percentage of children looked after in City of London
| Number in City of London | % in City of London | % National | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Children looked after (under 1 year) | 0 | 0% | 0.6% |
| Children looked after (aged 1 to 4 years) | – | – | 0.4% |
Percentage of children looked after in City of London
Special educational needs and disabilities in state-funded schools
This data is taken from the school census data for children aged 5 and under with special educational needs and disabilities in state-funded settings.
In City of London, 3.9% of children aged 5 and under receive SEN support in state-funded settings and 0% have an EHC plan, compared to 4.5% and 1.4% nationally.
No pupils in state-funded settings in City of London have an EHC plan compared to 1.4% nationally. This places it among the bottom 10% of areas with pupils that have an EHC plan in state-funded settings.
Contents
Percentage of children with SEND in state-funded settings by age group
Table showing percentage of children with SEND in state-funded settings by age group
| Number in City of London | % in City of London | % National | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total: SEN support in state-funded settings (age 5 and under) | 11 | 3.9% | 4.5% |
| Total: SEN support in state-funded settings (under 2 years) | 0 | 0% | 0.3% |
| Total: SEN support in state-funded settings (3 years) | 2 | 4.8% | 3.7% |
| Total: SEN support in state-funded settings (4 years) | 3 | 7.9% | 9.2% |
| Total: SEN support in state-funded settings (5 years) | 6 | 14% | 12% |
| Total: EHCPs in state-funded settings (age 5 and under) | 0 | 0% | 1.4% |
| Total: EHCPs in state-funded settings (under 2 years) | 0 | 0% | 0% |
| Total: EHCPs in state-funded settings (3 years) | 0 | 0% | 0.3% |
| Total: EHCPs in state-funded settings (4 years) | 0 | 0% | 3.1% |
| Total: EHCPs in state-funded settings (5 years) | 0 | 0% | 4.8% |
Education, health and care plans
This data is taken from the local authority level data for children aged 5 and under issued with an education, health and care (EHC) plan in City of London.
In City of London, 0.4% of children aged 5 and under have an EHC plan, compared to 1.6% nationally.
0.4% of pupils in City of London have been issued an EHC plan from their local authority compared to 1.6% nationally. This places it among the bottom 10% of areas with pupils that have an EHC plan.
Contents
Percentage of children with an EHCP in City of London by age group
Table showing percentage of children with an EHCP in City of London by age group
| Number in City of London | % in City of London | % National | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total: Children with an EHCP (age 5 and under) | 1 | 0.4% | 1.6% |
| Total: Children with an EHCP (under 2 years) | 0 | 0% | 0% |
| Total: Children with an EHCP (3 years) | 0 | 0% | 0.8% |
| Total: Children with an EHCP (4 years) | 1 | 2.6% | 3.4% |
| Total: Children with an EHCP (5 years) | 0 | 0% | 5.0% |
Early years funded takeup
In City of London, take-up of funded early years places is 43% for 2-year-olds, 58% for 3-year-olds, and 43% for 4-year-olds, compared to 72%, 88%, and 93% nationally.
In City of London, 43% of the funded places for 2-year-olds have been taken up, which is lower than the national at 72%. This places it among the bottom 10% of areas.
In City of London, 58% of the funded places for 3-year-olds have been taken up, which is lower than the national at 88%. This places it among the bottom 10% of areas.
In City of London, 43% of the funded places for 4-year-olds have been taken up, which is lower than the national at 92%. This places it among the bottom 10% of areas.
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Percentage of eligible children taking up funded early years places
Table showing percentage of eligible children taking up funded early years places
| Funded early years places for 2-year-olds | Number of eligible 2-year-olds | % of population aged 2 | % take-up of funded places |
|---|---|---|---|
| City of London | 7 | 11% | 43% |
| National | 119,598 | 19% | 72% |
| Funded early years places for 3-year-olds | Number of eligible 3-year-olds | % of population aged 3 | % take-up of funded places |
|---|---|---|---|
| City of London | All 3-year olds are eligible | 58% | |
| National | 88% | ||
| Funded early years places for 4-year-olds | Number of eligible 4-year-olds | % of population aged 4 | % take-up of funded places |
|---|---|---|---|
| City of London | All 4-year olds are eligible | 43% | |
| National | 93% | ||
The 2-, 3-, and 4-year-old funded places tables look different because they measure different things; funded places for 2-year-olds are only for children considered to be disadvantaged, while for 3- and 4-year-olds everyone is entitled to a funded place.
Children's overweight and obesity
The percentage of reception-age children who are overweight or obese is not available for City of London. However, the national average is 24%.
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Percentage of reception-age children overweight or obese
Table showing percentage of reception-age children overweight or obese
| Number in City of London | % in City of London | % National | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Children's overweight and obesity (reception-age children) | – | – | 24% |
Oral health
The percentage of children aged 5 with visible tooth decay (oral health issues) is not available for City of London. However, the national average is 22%.
No data was collected for the oral health measure in City of London.
Contents
Percentage of 5-year-olds with visible tooth decay
Table showing percentage of 5-year-olds with visible tooth decay
| Number examined in City of London | % examined in City of London | % in City of London | % National | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oral health (visible tooth decay in 5-year-olds) | – | – | – | 22% |