The ELC Insights Dashboard (ELCID) brings national and local data on funded early learning and childcare into one place, so councils can use it for planning and improvement. It draws on the biannual data return that all 32 local authorities complete for the Improvement Service.
That return was designed to give assurance during the rollout of 1140 hours. With the expansion complete, it needs to do a different job, and some of what it asks for duplicates the Scottish Government ELC census or is difficult to produce accurately.
Eight councils have worked with us across four sessions this autumn to review it, item by item, against a single test: does collecting this help a council make a better decision or improve a service? The focus has been on reducing what's asked for where it isn't used, making the data local authorities do provide more current, and agreeing what would genuinely add value, including workforce information.
Draft recommendations will go to all 32 councils before anything is agreed, with changes in place for the April 2027 collection.