Early years population
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Percentage of population by age group
Table showing percentage of population by age group
| Number in Liverpool | % in Liverpool | % National | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age 5 and under | 32,041 | 6.3% | 6.4% |
| Under 1 year | 5,113 | 1.0% | 1.0% |
| 1 year | 5,194 | 1.0% | 1.0% |
| 2 years | 5,366 | 1.1% | 1.1% |
| 3 years | 5,315 | 1.0% | 1.1% |
| 4 years | 5,433 | 1.1% | 1.1% |
| 5 years | 5,620 | 1.1% | 1.1% |
Mid-year population estimates, Office for National Statistics, NOMIS, published 11 September 2025
Disadvantaged
Early years pupil premium
In Liverpool, 8.2% of children are receiving the early years pupil premium, compared to 5.1% nationally.
Funded early education and childcare, Department for Education, published 29 July 2026
Children looked after
The percentage of 'children looked after' in Liverpool is 0.8% for under 1 year olds and 0.8% 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.
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Table showing percentage of children looked after in Liverpool
| Number in Liverpool | % in Liverpool | % National | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Children looked after (under 1 year) | 43 | 0.8% | 0.6% |
| Children looked after (aged 1 to 4 years) | 163 | 0.8% | 0.4% |
Percentage of children looked after in Liverpool
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 Liverpool, 6.6% 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.
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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 Liverpool | % in Liverpool | % National | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total: SEN support in state-funded settings (age 5 and under) | 2,105 | 6.6% | 4.5% |
| Total: SEN support in state-funded settings (under 2 years) | 69 | 0.4% | 0.3% |
| Total: SEN support in state-funded settings (3 years) | 374 | 7.0% | 3.7% |
| Total: SEN support in state-funded settings (4 years) | 729 | 13% | 9.2% |
| Total: SEN support in state-funded settings (5 years) | 933 | 17% | 12% |
| Total: EHCPs in state-funded settings (age 5 and under) | 664 | 2.1% | 1.4% |
| Total: EHCPs in state-funded settings (under 2 years) | 2 | 0% | 0% |
| Total: EHCPs in state-funded settings (3 years) | 40 | 0.8% | 0.3% |
| Total: EHCPs in state-funded settings (4 years) | 256 | 4.7% | 3.1% |
| Total: EHCPs in state-funded settings (5 years) | 366 | 6.5% | 4.8% |
Special educational needs in England, Department for Education, published 14 October 2026
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 Liverpool.
In Liverpool, 2.4% of children aged 5 and under have an EHC plan, compared to 1.6% nationally.
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Percentage of children with an EHCP in Liverpool by age group
Table showing percentage of children with an EHCP in Liverpool by age group
| Number in Liverpool | % in Liverpool | % National | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total: Children with an EHCP (age 5 and under) | 762 | 2.4% | 1.6% |
| Total: Children with an EHCP (under 2 years) | 7 | 0% | 0% |
| Total: Children with an EHCP (3 years) | 88 | 1.7% | 0.8% |
| Total: Children with an EHCP (4 years) | 282 | 5.2% | 3.4% |
| Total: Children with an EHCP (5 years) | 385 | 6.9% | 5.0% |
Education, health and care plans, Department for Education, published 4 September 2026
Early years funded takeup
In Liverpool, take-up of funded early years places is 82% for 2-year-olds, 88% for 3-year-olds, and 94% for 4-year-olds, compared to 72%, 88%, and 93% nationally.
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liverpool | 1,465 | 27% | 82% |
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liverpool | All 3-year olds are eligible | 88% | |
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liverpool | All 4-year olds are eligible | 94% | |
| National | 93% | ||
Funded early education and childcare, Department for Education, published 29 July 2026
Children's overweight and obesity
In Liverpool, 28% of reception-age children are overweight or obese, compared to 24% nationally.
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Percentage of reception-age children overweight or obese
Table showing percentage of reception-age children overweight or obese
| Number in Liverpool | % in Liverpool | % National | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Children's overweight and obesity (reception-age children) | 1,380 | 28% | 24% |
Children's overweight and obesity prevalence, NHS, published 14 September 2026
Oral health
In Liverpool, 33% of children aged 5 have visible tooth decay (oral health issues) compared to 22% nationally.
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Percentage of 5-year-olds with visible tooth decay
Table showing percentage of 5-year-olds with visible tooth decay
| Number examined in Liverpool | % examined in Liverpool | % in Liverpool | % National | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oral health (visible tooth decay in 5-year-olds) | 309 | 5.6% | 33% | 22% |
Oral health, Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, published 14 September 2026