Childcare and early years survey of parents
Reporting year 2022

Description

The publication methodology, available on the publication report, should be referenced alongside this data. It provides methodological information on the survey design, sample, fieldwork, data analysis, interpretation, weighting and definitions used.

Coverage

This publication provides information on a survey of parents with children aged 0 to 14 in England. It covers parents’ use of childcare and early years provision, and their views and experiences, including:

- what childcare is used by different types of families
- what childcare is used by different types of families and children
- changes in take-up of childcare over the years
- parents’ reasons for using or not using childcare and for choosing particular providers
- parents’ views on the providers they used and on childcare provision in their local area in general
- the perceived impacts of the 30 hours of childcare policy on families and children
- the influence of childcare arrangements on mothers’ decisions about whether to go out to work and working patterns
- children’s use of digital technology in the home learning environment

File formats and conventions

- z refers to an observation that is not applicable. This is used for 2019 data as this was completed by parents of 0-4s only.
- x is used when the data is unavailable. This is used when the data was not collected in that year.
- Low means the figure rounds to 0, but is not 0.

Data files

Percentage of families using childcare providers with children aged 0 to 14 years, 2010 to 2022

Filename: ceysp22_childcare_use_0_14_ts_families.csv
Geographic levels: National
Time period: 2010 to 2022
Content summary: The proportion of families with children aged 0-14 using childcare in the most recent term-time week by year.

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name   |  Variable description
--------------  |  -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Childcare_type  |  Childcare type
Proportion      |  Percentage of familes with children aged 0-14 using childcare providers in the most recent term time week, 2010 to 2022

Footnotes:

1. Caution should be taken when comparing 2021 figures with other years due to the potential impact of COVID disruptions on the 2021 data
2. 2010 data corresponds to 2010-11, 2011 data corresponds to 2011-12, 2012 data corresponds to 2012-13, 2014 data corresponds to 2014-15. There was no survey in 2013, 2015 and 2016. 2019 survey was with families with children aged 0-4 and so the data are not directly comparable. 2020 data is presented separately in the supporting files due to a limited sample caused by COVID-19 disruption, limiting comparisons.
3. z refers to an observation that is not applicable. This is used for 2019 data as this was completed by parents of 0-4s only.
4. x is used when the data is unavailable. This is used when the data was not collected in that year.
5. Estimates for the use of ‘any childcare’ and ‘informal childcare’ prior to the 2019 wave include ex-husbands/wives/partners as a form of childcare, and this should be borne in mind when making comparisons across survey years.


Percentage of families using childcare providers with children aged 0 to 4 years only, 2010 to 2022

Filename: ceysp22_childcare_use_0_4_ts_familiesv2.csv
Geographic levels: National
Time period: 2010 to 2022
Content summary: The proportion of families with children aged 0-4 using childcare in the most recent term-time week by year.

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name   |  Variable description
--------------  |  ------------------------------------------------
Childcare_type  |  Childcare type
Proportion      |  Percentage of families using childcare providers

Footnotes:

1. Caution should be taken when comparing 2021 figures with other years due to the potential impact of COVID disruptions on the 2021 data
2. 2010 data corresponds to 2010-11, 2011 data corresponds to 2011-12, 2012 data corresponds to 2012-13, 2014 data corresponds to 2014-15. There was no survey in 2013, 2015 and 2016. 2019 survey was with families with children aged 0-4 and so the data are not directly comparable. 2020 data is presented separately in the supporting files due to a limited sample caused by COVID-19 disruption, limiting comparisons.
3. x is used when the data is unavailable. This is used when the data was not collected in that year.
4. Estimates for the use of ‘any childcare’ and ‘informal childcare’ prior to the 2019 wave include ex-husbands/wives/partners as a form of childcare, and this should be borne in mind when making comparisons across survey years.


Percentage of children aged 0-14 using childcare providers, 2010 to 2022

Filename: ceysp22_childcare_use_0_14_ts_v2.csv
Geographic levels: National
Time period: 2010 to 2022
Content summary: The proportion of children aged 0-14 using childcare in the most recent term time week by year.

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name   |  Variable description
--------------  |  ------------------------------------------------
Childcare_type  |  Childcare type
Proportion      |  Percentage of children aged 0-14 using childcare

Footnotes:

1. Caution should be taken when comparing 2021 figures with other years due to the potential impact of COVID disruptions on the 2021 data
2. 2010 data corresponds to 2010-11, 2011 data corresponds to 2011-12, 2012 data corresponds to 2012-13, 2014 data corresponds to 2014-15. There was no survey in 2013, 2015 and 2016. 2019 survey was with families with children aged 0-4 and so the data are not directly comparable. 2020 data is presented separately in the supporting files due to a limited sample caused by COVID-19 disruption, limiting comparisons.
3. z refers to an observation that is not applicable. This is used for 2019 data as this was completed by parents of 0-4s only.
4. x is used when the data is unavailable. This is used when the data was not collected in that year.
5. Estimates for the use of ‘any childcare’ and ‘informal childcare’ prior to the 2019 wave include ex-husbands/wives/partners as a form of childcare, and this should be borne in mind when making comparisons across survey years.


Percentage of children aged 0-4 using childcare providers, 2010 to 2022

Filename: ceysp22_childcare_use_0_4_ts_v2.csv
Geographic levels: National
Time period: 2010 to 2022
Content summary: The proportion of children aged 0-4 using childcare in the most recent term time week by year.

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name   |  Variable description
--------------  |  -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Childcare_type  |  Childcare type
Proportion      |  Percentage of children aged 0-4 using childcare providers in the most recent term time week

Footnotes:

1. Caution should be taken when comparing 2021 figures with other years due to the potential impact of COVID disruptions on the 2021 data
2. 2010 data corresponds to 2010-11, 2011 data corresponds to 2011-12, 2012 data corresponds to 2012-13, 2014 data corresponds to 2014-15. There was no survey in 2013, 2015 and 2016. 2019 survey was with families with children aged 0-4 and so the data are not directly comparable. 2020 data is presented separately in the supporting files due to a limited sample caused by COVID-19 disruption, limiting comparisons.
3. x is used when the data is unavailable. This is used when the data was not collected in that year.
4. Estimates for the use of ‘any childcare’ and ‘informal childcare’ prior to the 2019 wave include ex-husbands/wives/partners as a form of childcare, and this should be borne in mind when making comparisons across survey years.


Percentage of families with school-age children using childcare during school holidays, 2008 to 2022

Filename: ceysp22_childcare_school_holidays_ts_v2.csv
Geographic levels: National
Time period: 2008 to 2022
Content summary: The proportion of families with school-aged children using childcare during school holidays by year.

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name      |  Variable description
-----------------  |  --------------
Proportion         |  Proportion
Type_of_childcare  |  Childcare type

Footnotes:

1. Caution should be taken when comparing 2021 figures with other years due to the potential impact of COVID disruptions on the 2021 data
2. 2010 data corresponds to 2010-11, 2011 data corresponds to 2011-12, 2012 data corresponds to 2012-13, 2014 data corresponds to 2014-15. There was no survey in 2013, 2015 and 2016. 2019 survey was with families with children aged 0-4 and so the data are not directly comparable. 2020 data is presented separately in the supporting files due to a limited sample caused by COVID-19 disruption, limiting comparisons.
3. z refers to an observation that is not applicable. This is used for 2019 data as this was completed by parents of 0-4s only.
4. x is used when the data is unavailable. This is used when the data was not collected in that year.
5. Estimates for the use of ‘any childcare’ and ‘informal childcare’ prior to the 2019 wave include ex-husbands/wives/partners as a form of childcare, and this should be borne in mind when making comparisons across survey years.


Reasons for not using childcare in the last year, 2022

Filename: ceysp22_reasons_not_using.csv
Geographic levels: National
Time period: 2022
Content summary: The proportion of families who had not used any childcare in the last year selecting various reasons for not doing so.

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name              |  Variable description
-------------------------  |  ------------------------------------
Age_of_children_in_family  |  Age of children in family
Proportion                 |  Proportion selecting each response
Reason                     |  Reason selected
Type_of_reason             |  Type of reason: choice or constraint

Footnotes:

1. Low means the figure rounds to 0, but is not 0


Changes to childcare provision that would make it better suited to parents, 2022

Filename: ceysp22_changes_to_provision.csv
Geographic levels: National
Time period: 2022
Content summary: The proportion of families with child(ren) aged 0 to 14 saying that various changes to childcare arrangements would make it better suited to their needs.

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name          |  Variable description
---------------------  |  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Change                 |  Changes to childcare provision that would make it better suited to parents’ needs
Family_characteristic  |  Family and area characteristics
Proportion             |  Proportion selecting reason


Percentage of families with child(ren) aged 0 to 4 aware of the 15 hours offer for 3 and 4-year-olds

Filename: ceysp22_awareness_15_hours.csv
Geographic levels: National
Time period: 2022
Content summary: The proportion of families with child(ren) aged 0 to 4 who are aware of the 15 hours offer for 3 to 4 year olds.

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name          |  Variable description
---------------------  |  -------------------------------
Awareness              |  Awareness of the 15 hours offer
Family_characteristic  |  Family and area characteristics
Proportion             |  Proportion selecting reason


Awareness of the entitlement to government funded early education for 2-year-olds, for families with a 2-year-old

Filename: ceysp22_awareness_15_hours_2yov3.csv
Geographic levels: National
Time period: 2022
Content summary: The proportion of families with with a two-year old child who are aware of the 15 hours offer for 2 year olds.

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name  |  Variable description
----------  |  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Awareness   |  Awareness of the entitlement to government funded early education for 2-year-olds
Child_Age   |  Age of children in family
Proportion  |  Proportion selecting reason


Percentage of families with child(ren) aged 0 to 4 aware of the 30 hours offer

Filename: ceysp22_awareness_30_hours.csv
Geographic levels: National
Time period: 2022
Content summary: The proportion of families with child(ren) aged 0 to 4 who are aware of the 30 hours offer for 3 to 4 year olds.

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name          |  Variable description
---------------------  |  -------------------------------
Awareness              |  Awareness of the 30 hours offer
Family_characteristic  |  Family and area characteristics
Proportion             |  Proportion selecting reason


Families using the 30 hours offer and their perceptions of the impact of the offer on work

Filename: ceysp22_30hours_work_impactv2.csv
Geographic levels: National
Time period: 2022
Content summary: The proportion of families using the 30 hours offer who believe that it has had an impact on their ability to work.

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name       |  Variable description
------------------  |  ----------------------------------------------
Proportion          |  Perceived impact of the 30 hours offer on work
Response_breakdown  |  Response options


Perceptions of local childcare provision, 2004 to 2022

Filename: ceysp22_parent_perceptions_ts_v2.csv
Geographic levels: National
Time period: 2004 to 2022
Content summary: How families with child(ren) aged 0 to 14 rate the quality of  local childcare.

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name       |  Variable description
------------------  |  ------------------
Proportion          |  Proportion
Response_breakdown  |  Response selected
Type_of_perception  |  Type of perception

Footnotes:

1. 2010 data corresponds to 2010-11, 2011 data corresponds to 2011-12, 2012 data corresponds to 2012-13, 2014 data corresponds to 2014-15. There was no survey in 2013, 2015 and 2016. 2019 survey was with families with children aged 0-4 and so the data are not directly comparable. 2020 data is presented separately in the supporting files due to a limited sample caused by COVID-19 disruption, limiting comparisons.
2. z refers to an observation that is not applicable. This is used for 2019 data as this was completed by parents of 0-4s only.
3. x is used when the data is unavailable. This is used when the data was not collected in that year.


Percentage of parents saying the availability of local childcare places is ‘about right’, 2008 to 2022

Filename: ceysp22_availability_age_ts.csv
Geographic levels: National
Time period: 2008 to 2022
Content summary: The proportion of families with child(ren) aged 0 to 14 and who rate the availability of  local childcare as "about right” by year.

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name    |  Variable description
---------------  |  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Age_of_children  |  Age of children in family
Proportion       |  Percentage of parents saying the availability of local childcare places is ‘about right’

Footnotes:

1. 2010 data corresponds to 2010-11, 2011 data corresponds to 2011-12, 2012 data corresponds to 2012-13, 2014 data corresponds to 2014-15. There was no survey in 2013, 2015 and 2016. 2019 survey was with families with children aged 0-4 and so the data are not directly comparable. 2020 data is presented separately in the supporting files due to a limited sample caused by COVID-19 disruption, limiting comparisons.
2. z refers to an observation that is not applicable. This is used for 2019 data as this was completed by parents of 0-4s only.
3. x is used when the data is unavailable. This is used when the data was not collected in that year.


Frequency with which children engage in home learning activities with someone at home

Filename: ceysp22_hle_activitiesv2.csv
Geographic levels: National
Time period: 2022
Content summary: The frequency with which parents engage in various home-learning activities with their children

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name  |  Variable description
----------  |  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Activity    |  Home learning activities
Frequency   |  Frequency
Proportion  |  Proportion of families engaging in home learning activities at least once a day, among children aged 0-4


Percentage of families with children aged 0-4 engaging in home learning activities at least once a day, 2017 to 2022

Filename: ceysp22_hlev3.csv
Geographic levels: National
Time period: 2017 to 2022
Content summary: The proportion of families saying that they engage in various home learning activities at least once a day, by year

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name  |  Variable description
----------  |  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Activity    |  Home learning activities
Proportion  |  Proportion of families engaging in home learning activities at least once a day, among children aged 0-4


Childcare arrangements that helped mothers to go out to work, mothers of children aged 0-14 in paid work

Filename: ceysp22_work_factors.csv
Geographic levels: National
Time period: 2022
Content summary: The proportion of working mothers of child(ren) aged 0-14 that gave various reasons for being able to go out to work.

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name  |  Variable description
----------  |  ------------------------------------------------------------
Proportion  |  Proportion selecting reason
Reason      |  Childcare arrangements that helped mothers to go out to work


Percentage of parents rating the affordability of local childcare as very or fairly good, 2008 to 2022

Filename: ceysp22_affordability_age_ts.csv
Geographic levels: National
Time period: 2008 to 2022
Content summary: How families with child(ren) aged 0 to 14 rate the affordability of  local childcare.

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name    |  Variable description
---------------  |  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Age_of_children  |  Age of children in family
Proportion       |  Percentage of parents rating the affordability of local childcare as very or fairly good

Footnotes:

1. 2010 data corresponds to 2010-11, 2011 data corresponds to 2011-12, 2012 data corresponds to 2012-13, 2014 data corresponds to 2014-15. There was no survey in 2013, 2015 and 2016. 2019 survey was with families with children aged 0-4 and so the data are not directly comparable. 2020 data is presented separately in the supporting files due to a limited sample caused by COVID-19 disruption, limiting comparisons.
2. z refers to an observation that is not applicable. This is used for 2019 data as this was completed by parents of 0-4s only.
3. x is used when the data is unavailable. This is used when the data was not collected in that year.


Percentage of parents finding it difficult or very difficult to meet their childcare costs, 2008 to 2022

Filename: ceysp22_difficulty_paying_ts.csv
Geographic levels: National
Time period: 2008 to 2022
Content summary: The proportion of families that say they find it difficult to meet their childcare costs, by year

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name    |  Variable description
---------------  |  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Age_of_children  |  Age of children in family
Proportion       |  Proportion of parents finding it difficult or very difficult to meet their childcare costs

Footnotes:

1. 2010 data corresponds to 2010-11, 2011 data corresponds to 2011-12, 2012 data corresponds to 2012-13, 2014 data corresponds to 2014-15. There was no survey in 2013, 2015 and 2016. 2019 survey was with families with children aged 0-4 and so the data are not directly comparable. 2020 data is presented separately in the supporting files due to a limited sample caused by COVID-19 disruption, limiting comparisons.
2. z refers to an observation that is not applicable. This is used for 2019 data as this was completed by parents of 0-4s only.
3. x is used when the data is unavailable. This is used when the data was not collected in that year.


Percentage of parents rating the quality of local childcare as very or fairly good, 2008 to 2022

Filename: ceysp22_quality_age_ts.csv
Geographic levels: National
Time period: 2008 to 2022
Content summary: The proportion of  families who rate the quality of local childcare as good, by year

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name    |  Variable description
---------------  |  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Age_of_children  |  Age of children in family
Proportion       |  Percentage of parents rating the quality of local childcare as very or fairly good

Footnotes:

1. 2010 data corresponds to 2010-11, 2011 data corresponds to 2011-12, 2012 data corresponds to 2012-13, 2014 data corresponds to 2014-15. There was no survey in 2013, 2015 and 2016. 2019 survey was with families with children aged 0-4 and so the data are not directly comparable. 2020 data is presented separately in the supporting files due to a limited sample caused by COVID-19 disruption, limiting comparisons.
2. z refers to an observation that is not applicable. This is used for 2019 data as this was completed by parents of 0-4s only.
3. x is used when the data is unavailable. This is used when the data was not collected in that year.


Percentage of families with child(ren) aged 5 to 14 only using childcare providers, 2010 to 2022

Filename: ceysp22_childcare_use_5_14_ts_families.csv
Geographic levels: National
Time period: 2010 to 2022
Content summary: The proportion of families with children aged 5-14 using childcare in the most recent term-time week by year.

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name   |  Variable description
--------------  |  -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Childcare_type  |  Childcare type
Proportion      |  Percentage of families using childcare providers among families with just children aged 5 to 14 years


Percentage of children aged 5 to 11 years using childcare providers, 2010-11 to 2022

Filename: ceysp22_childcare_use_5_11_ts.csv
Geographic levels: National
Time period: 2010 to 2022
Content summary: The proportion of children aged 5-11 using childcare in the most recent term time week by year.

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name   |  Variable description
--------------  |  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Childcare_type  |  Childcare type
Proportion      |  Percentage of children aged 5-11 using childcare providers in the most recent term time week, 2010 to 2022


Percentage of children aged 12-14 using childcare providers, 2010-11 to 2022

Filename: ceysp22_childcare_use_12_14_ts.csv
Geographic levels: National
Time period: 2010 to 2022
Content summary: The proportion of children aged 12-14 using childcare in the most recent term time week by year.

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name   |  Variable description
--------------  |  -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Childcare_type  |  Childcare type
Proportion      |  Percentage of children aged 12-14 using childcare providers in the most recent term time week, 2010 to 2022


Changes to childcare provision that would make it better suited to parents needs, 2022

Filename: ceysp22_changes_to_provision_0-4_5-14_all.csv
Geographic levels: National
Time period: 2022
Content summary: The proportion of families saying that various changes to childcare provision would make it better

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name          |  Variable description
---------------------  |  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Change                 |  Changes to childcare provision that would make it better suited to parents’ needs
Family_characteristic  |  Family and area characteristics
Proportion             |  Proportion selecting reason


Childcare arrangements that helped mothers to go out to work

Filename: ceysp22_work_factors_0-4_5-14_all_v2.csv
Geographic levels: National
Time period: 2022
Content summary: The proportion of mothers in paid work selecting various childcare arrangements that helped them to go out to work.

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name              |  Variable description
-------------------------  |  ---------------------------
Age_of_children_in_family  |  Age of children in family
Proportion                 |  Proportion selecting reason
Reason                     |  Reason selected


Maternal employment patterns

Filename: ceysp22_maternal_work_ts.csv
Geographic levels: National
Time period: 2010 to 2022
Content summary: The proportion of mothers reporting that they were working.

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name            |  Variable description
-----------------------  |  ---------------------------------------
Mothers_working_pattern  |  Mothers working pattern
Proportion               |  Percentage of mothers working FT and PT


Table of data for headline boxes

Filename: ceysp22-highlights_v5.csv
Geographic levels: National
Time period: 2022
Content summary: Headline statistics

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name  |  Variable description
-----------  |  -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
highlight_1  |  Percentage of children aged 0-14 using any childcare
highlight_2  |  Percentage of children aged 0-14 using formal childcare
highlight_3  |  Percentage of children aged 0-4 using any childcare
highlight_4  |  Percentage of children aged 0-4 using formal childcare
highlight_5  |  Proportion of working mothers with children aged 0-14 who said that having reliable childcare helps them go to work
highlight_6  |  Proportion of working mothers with children aged 0-4 only who said that having reliable childcare helps them go to work


Percentage of parents saying the availability of local childcare places is ‘not enough’, 2010-11 to 2022

Filename: ceysp22_availability_age_ts_notenough.csv
Geographic levels: National
Time period: 2010 to 2022
Content summary: Proportion of parents saying that there is not enough local childcare, by year

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name    |  Variable description
---------------  |  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Age_of_children  |  Age of children in family
Proportion       |  Percentage of parents saying the availability of local childcare places is ‘not enough’

Footnotes:

1. 2010 data corresponds to 2010-11, 2011 data corresponds to 2011-12, 2012 data corresponds to 2012-13, 2014 data corresponds to 2014-15. There was no survey in 2013, 2015 and 2016. 2019 survey was with families with children aged 0-4 and so the data are not directly comparable. 2020 data is presented separately in the supporting files due to a limited sample caused by COVID-19 disruption, limiting comparisons.
2. z refers to an observation that is not applicable. This is used for 2019 data as this was completed by parents of 0-4s only.
