Local area: Halton Castlefield
Local authority: Halton
Halton Castlefield in Halton Early years summary
Summary
Halton Castlefield (E02002583) is part of Halton local authority (view on map). Halton Castlefield has an approximate population of 7,500 people, of which 8.0% are children 5 years old and under. It is classified as "urban: nearer to a major town or city".
Halton Castlefield neighbours Sandymoor, Daresbury & Preston Brook, Runcorn Halton Road, Runcorn Town & Westfield, Grange, Halton Brook & Hallwood Park, Halton Lea & Brookvale, and Penketh & Cuerdley.
Headlines for early years in Halton
The data below is shown at local area level
- 66% of children are living in low-income families, ranking it in the 10% most deprived areas (based on income deprivation among children in England)
The data below is only available at local authority level
- 9.8% of pupils are in receipt of the early years pupil premium in Halton compared to 5.1% nationally. This places it among the top 10% of areas with pupils receiving the pupil premium
- 1.1% of pupils aged 1 to 4 are classed as 'children looked after' in Halton compared to 0.4% nationally. This places it in the top 10% of areas with 'children looked after' in this age group
- 2.1% of pupils in state-funded settings in Halton have an EHC plan compared to 1.4% nationally. This places it among the top 10% of areas with pupils that have an EHC plan in state-funded settings
- 2.3% of pupils in Halton have been issued an EHC plan from their local authority compared to 1.6% nationally. This places it among the top 10% of areas with pupils that have an EHC plan
- The children’s overweight and obesity measure is 31% in Halton compared with 24% nationally. This places it among the top 10% of areas with children who are overweight or obese
- No data was collected for the oral health measure in Halton
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
Halton Castlefield is the 14th least deprived area in Halton (out of 16) with 66% of children living in low-income families, compared to 43% across Halton and 38% nationally.
66% of children are living in low-income families, ranking it in the 10% most deprived areas (based on income deprivation among children in England).
Provider information
Registered childcare providers
Halton Castlefield has 6 registered childcare providers.
| Type | Number in Halton Castlefield |
|---|---|
| All childcare providers | 6 |
| Childminders | 3 |
| Pre-school/day nursery/out-of-school care | 3 |
In Halton Castlefield, there has been 1 full inspection of childcare providers since the introduction of the renewed education inspection framework in November 2025.
Achievement: 1 was graded 'expected standard' (of 1).
Behaviour, attitudes and establishing routines: 1 was graded 'expected standard' (of 1).
Children's welfare and wellbeing: 1 was graded 'strong standard' (of 1).
Curriculum and teaching: 1 was graded 'expected standard' (of 1).
Inclusion: 1 was graded 'expected standard' (of 1).
Leadership and governance: 1 was graded 'expected standard' (of 1).
The tables below show the outcomes of inspections of childcare providers in Halton Castlefield. 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 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Behaviour, attitudes and establishing routines | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Children's welfare and wellbeing | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Curriculum and teaching | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Inclusion | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Leadership and governance | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Childminders
| Number of inspections | Exceptional | Strong standard | Expected standard | Needs attention | Urgent improvement | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Achievement | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Behaviour, attitudes and establishing routines | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Children's welfare and wellbeing | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Curriculum and teaching | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Inclusion | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Leadership and governance | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Pre-school/day nursery/out-of-school care
| 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 |
Summary of Ofsted findings
Summary of Ofsted findings
Inspection of Halton’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 Standard Inspection | 13 May 2024 | Inadequate | Inadequate | Inadequate | Inadequate | Inadequate |
Area SEND inspection of Halton 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 |
|---|
|
Halton was last inspected on 20 November 2023. There are widespread and/or systemic failings leading to significant concerns about the experiences and outcomes of children and young people with SEND, which the local area partnership must address urgently. The local area partnership must prepare and submit a priority area SEND action plan addressing the areas for priority action that we identified. They were given 5 areas for priority action. A monitoring inspection will be carried out within approximately 18 months. The next full area SEND inspection will be within approximately 3 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 Halton 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Child exploitation | 8 July 2019 | Link |
Early years population
Contents
Percentage of Halton Castlefield population by age group
Table showing percentage of Halton Castlefield population by age group
| % in Halton Castlefield | % in Halton | % National | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age 5 and under | 8.0% | 6.3% | 6.4% |
| Under 1 year | 1.3% | 0.9% | 1.0% |
| 1 year | 1.4% | 1.0% | 1.0% |
| 2 years | 1.3% | 1.1% | 1.1% |
| 3 years | 1.3% | 1.1% | 1.1% |
| 4 years | 1.4% | 1.1% | 1.1% |
| 5 years | 1.3% | 1.1% | 1.1% |
Local authority context
Early years pupil premium
In Halton, 10% of children are receiving the early years pupil premium, compared to 5.1% nationally.
9.8% of pupils are in receipt of the early years pupil premium in Halton compared to 5.1% nationally. This places it among the top 10% of areas with pupils receiving the pupil premium.
Children looked after
The percentage of 'children looked after' in Halton is 0.7% for under 1 year olds and 1.1% 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.
1.1% of pupils aged 1 to 4 are classed as 'children looked after' in Halton compared to 0.4% nationally. This places it in the top 10% of areas with 'children looked after' in this age group.
Contents
Table showing percentage of children looked after in Halton
| Number in Halton | % in Halton | % National | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Children looked after (under 1 year) | 8 | 0.7% | 0.6% |
| Children looked after (aged 1 to 4 years) | 61 | 1.1% | 0.4% |
Percentage of children looked after in Halton
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 Halton, 5.6% of children aged 5 and under receive SEN support in state-funded settings and 2.1% have an EHC plan, compared to 4.5% and 1.4% nationally.
2.1% of pupils in state-funded settings in Halton have an EHC plan compared to 1.4% nationally. This places it among the top 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 Halton | % in Halton | % National | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total: SEN support in state-funded settings (age 5 and under) | 462 | 5.6% | 4.5% |
| Total: SEN support in state-funded settings (under 2 years) | 9 | 0.2% | 0.3% |
| Total: SEN support in state-funded settings (3 years) | 35 | 2.5% | 3.7% |
| Total: SEN support in state-funded settings (4 years) | 169 | 12% | 9.2% |
| Total: SEN support in state-funded settings (5 years) | 249 | 17% | 12% |
| Total: EHCPs in state-funded settings (age 5 and under) | 170 | 2.1% | 1.4% |
| Total: EHCPs in state-funded settings (under 2 years) | 0 | 0% | 0% |
| Total: EHCPs in state-funded settings (3 years) | 1 | 0.1% | 0.3% |
| Total: EHCPs in state-funded settings (4 years) | 52 | 3.6% | 3.1% |
| Total: EHCPs in state-funded settings (5 years) | 117 | 8.2% | 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 Halton.
In Halton, 2.3% of children aged 5 and under have an EHC plan, compared to 1.6% nationally.
2.3% of pupils in Halton have been issued an EHC plan from their local authority compared to 1.6% nationally. This places it among the top 10% of areas with pupils that have an EHC plan.
Contents
Percentage of children with an EHCP in Halton by age group
Table showing percentage of children with an EHCP in Halton by age group
| Number in Halton | % in Halton | % National | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total: Children with an EHCP (age 5 and under) | 190 | 2.3% | 1.6% |
| Total: Children with an EHCP (under 2 years) | 0 | 0% | 0% |
| Total: Children with an EHCP (3 years) | 18 | 1.3% | 0.8% |
| Total: Children with an EHCP (4 years) | 58 | 4.0% | 3.4% |
| Total: Children with an EHCP (5 years) | 114 | 8.0% | 5.0% |
Early years funded takeup
In Halton, take-up of funded early years places is 81% for 2-year-olds, 80% for 3-year-olds, and 90% for 4-year-olds, compared to 72%, 88%, and 93% nationally.
Contents
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Halton | 359 | 25% | 81% |
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Halton | All 3-year olds are eligible | 80% | |
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Halton | All 4-year olds are eligible | 90% | |
| 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
In Halton, 31% of reception-age children are overweight or obese, compared to 24% nationally.
The children’s overweight and obesity measure is 31% in Halton compared with 24% nationally. This places it among the top 10% of areas with children who are overweight or obese.
Contents
Percentage of reception-age children overweight or obese
Table showing percentage of reception-age children overweight or obese
| Number in Halton | % in Halton | % National | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Children's overweight and obesity (reception-age children) | 370 | 31% | 24% |
Oral health
The percentage of children aged 5 with visible tooth decay (oral health issues) is not available for Halton. However, the national average is 22%.
No data was collected for the oral health measure in Halton.
Contents
Percentage of 5-year-olds with visible tooth decay
Table showing percentage of 5-year-olds with visible tooth decay
| Number examined in Halton | % examined in Halton | % in Halton | % National | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oral health (visible tooth decay in 5-year-olds) | – | – | – | 22% |