Reporting year 2021

Childcare and early years survey of parents

Nationally representative survey of parents of children aged 0-14 on their use, experiences and views on early education and childcare.

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  • Percentage of children aged 0-4 using childcare providers in the most recent term time week, 2010 to 2021

    National

    The proportion of children aged 0-4 using any childcare, formal childcare, informal childcare in the most recent term time week by year. The Technical Report which accompanies this report provides further methodological information on the survey design, sample, fieldwork, data analysis, interpretation, weighting and definitions used. - The survey uses a broad definition of ‘childcare’: Parents were asked to include any time that the child was not with a resident parent, a resident parent’s current (or ex-) husband, wife, or partner, or at school. In order to remind parents to include all possible people or organisations that may have looked after their children, they were shown a list of childcare providers: nursery schools, nursery classes, reception classes, special day schools, day nurseries, playgroups, childminders, nannies or au-pairs, baby-sitters, breakfast clubs, after-school clubs and holiday clubs, grandparents, older brother/sisters, other relatives, friends or neighbours. 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. - Detailed information about childcare was collected for one ‘reference child’ in each household-  Because of the constraint of interview length, detailed information on the use and needs of all children in the family could not be collected (unless the child was an only child). Rather, in families where there were two or more children, we obtained a broad picture about the childcare arrangements of all children, before asking more detailed questions about one randomly selected child. - Detailed information was collected for childcare use during term-time periods: As childcare arrangements may vary between school term-time and school holidays, most of the questions focused on a reference term-time week (which was the most recent term-time week). A separate set of questions was asked about the use of childcare during the school holidays.

    Number of rows
    36
    Indicators
    • Percentage of children aged 0-4 using childcare providers in the most recent term time week, 2010 to 2021
    Filters
    • Childcare type
    Time period
    2010 to 2021
    Data set information page for Percentage of children aged 0-4 using childcare providers in the most recent term time week, 2010 to 2021
    Create table using Percentage of children aged 0-4 using childcare providers in the most recent term time week, 2010 to 2021

  • Percentage of children aged 0-14 using childcare providers in the most recent term time week, 2010 to 2021

    National

    The proportion of children aged 0-14 using any childcare, formal childcare, informal childcare in the most recent term time week by year. The Technical Report which accompanies this report provides further methodological information on the survey design, sample, fieldwork, data analysis, interpretation, weighting and definitions used. - The survey uses a broad definition of ‘childcare’: Parents were asked to include any time that the child was not with a resident parent, a resident parent’s current (or ex-) husband, wife, or partner, or at school. In order to remind parents to include all possible people or organisations that may have looked after their children, they were shown a list of childcare providers: nursery schools, nursery classes, reception classes, special day schools, day nurseries, playgroups, childminders, nannies or au-pairs, baby-sitters, breakfast clubs, after-school clubs and holiday clubs, grandparents, older brother/sisters, other relatives, friends or neighbours. 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. - Detailed information about childcare was collected for one ‘reference child’ in each household-  Because of the constraint of interview length, detailed information on the use and needs of all children in the family could not be collected (unless the child was an only child). Rather, in families where there were two or more children, we obtained a broad picture about the childcare arrangements of all children, before asking more detailed questions about one randomly selected child. - Detailed information was collected for childcare use during term-time periods: As childcare arrangements may vary between school term-time and school holidays, most of the questions focused on a reference term-time week (which was the most recent term-time week). A separate set of questions was asked about the use of childcare during the school holidays.

    Number of rows
    36
    Indicators
    • Percentage of children aged 0-14 using childcare
    Filters
    • Childcare type
    Time period
    2010 to 2021
    Data set information page for Percentage of children aged 0-14 using childcare providers in the most recent term time week, 2010 to 2021
    Create table using Percentage of children aged 0-14 using childcare providers in the most recent term time week, 2010 to 2021

  • Percentage of families with school-age children using childcare during school holidays, 2008 to 2021

    National

    The proportion of families with school-aged children using any childcare, formal childcare, informal childcare, no childcare during school holidays by year. The Technical Report which accompanies this report provides further methodological information on the survey design, sample, fieldwork, data analysis, interpretation, weighting and definitions used. - The survey uses a broad definition of ‘childcare’: Parents were asked to include any time that the child was not with a resident parent, a resident parent’s current (or ex-) husband, wife, or partner, or at school. In order to remind parents to include all possible people or organisations that may have looked after their children, they were shown a list of childcare providers: nursery schools, nursery classes, reception classes, special day schools, day nurseries, playgroups, childminders, nannies or au-pairs, baby-sitters, breakfast clubs, after-school clubs and holiday clubs, grandparents, older brother/sisters, other relatives, friends or neighbours. 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. - Detailed information about childcare was collected for one ‘reference child’ in each household-  Because of the constraint of interview length, detailed information on the use and needs of all children in the family could not be collected (unless the child was an only child). Rather, in families where there were two or more children, we obtained a broad picture about the childcare arrangements of all children, before asking more detailed questions about one randomly selected child. - Detailed information was collected for childcare use during term-time periods: As childcare arrangements may vary between school term-time and school holidays, most of the questions focused on a reference term-time week (which was the most recent term-time week). A separate set of questions was asked about the use of childcare during the school holidays.

    Number of rows
    56
    Indicators
    • Proportion
    Filters
    • Childcare type
    Time period
    2008 to 2021
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    Create table using Percentage of families with school-age children using childcare during school holidays, 2008 to 2021

  • Percentage of families with child(ren) aged 0 to 4 aware of the 15 hours offer

    National

    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 by family type, family work status, family annual income, number of children in family, age of children in family, area deprivation and rurality.

    Number of rows
    50
    Indicators
    • Proportion selecting reason
    Filters
    • Awareness of the 15 hours offer
    • Family and area characteristics
    Time period
    2021
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    Create table using Percentage of families with child(ren) aged 0 to 4 aware of the 15 hours offer

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

    National

    The proportion of families with child(ren) aged 0 to 4 who are aware of the 30hours offer for 3 to 4 year olds by family type, family work status, family annual income, number of children in family, age of children in family, area deprivation and rurality.

    Number of rows
    50
    Indicators
    • Proportion selecting reason
    Filters
    • Awareness of the 30 hours offer
    • Family and area characteristics
    Time period
    2021
    Data set information page for Percentage of families with child(ren) aged 0 to 4 aware of the 30 hours offer
    Create table using Percentage of families with child(ren) aged 0 to 4 aware of the 30 hours offer

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

    National

    The proportion of families using the 30 hours offer who believe the 30 hours has had that impact on work.

    Number of rows
    4
    Indicators
    • Perceived impact of the 30 hours offer on work
    Filters
    • Response options
    Time period
    2021
    Data set information page for Families using the 30 hours offer and their perceptions of the impact of the offer on work
    Create table using Families using the 30 hours offer and their perceptions of the impact of the offer on work

  • Perceptions of local childcare provision, 2004 to 2021

    National

    The proportion of families with child(ren) aged 0 to 14 and their perceptions of local childcare by year.

    Number of rows
    324
    Indicators
    • Proportion
    Filters
    • Response selected
    • Type of perception
    Time period
    2004 to 2021
    Data set information page for Perceptions of local childcare provision, 2004 to 2021
    Create table using Perceptions of local childcare provision, 2004 to 2021

  • Percentage of parents finding it difficult or very difficult to meet their childcare costs, 2008 to 2021

    National

    The proportion of families who paid for childcare in the last week who found it difficult or very difficult to meet their childcare costs by age of children in family and year.

    Number of rows
    42
    Indicators
    • Proportion of parents finding it difficult or very difficult to meet their childcare costs
    Filters
    • Age of children in family
    Time period
    2008 to 2021
    Data set information page for Percentage of parents finding it difficult or very difficult to meet their childcare costs, 2008 to 2021
    Create table using Percentage of parents finding it difficult or very difficult to meet their childcare costs, 2008 to 2021

  • Percentage of families with children aged 0-4 engaging in home learning activities at least once a day

    National

    The proportion of families engaging in home learning activities at least once a day, 2017, 2019 and 2021 among children aged 0 - 4 years.

    Number of rows
    15
    Indicators
    • Proportion of families engaging in home learning activities at least once a day, among children aged 0-4
    Filters
    • Home learning activities
    Time period
    2017 to 2021
    Data set information page for Percentage of families with children aged 0-4 engaging in home learning activities at least once a day
    Create table using Percentage of families with children aged 0-4 engaging in home learning activities at least once a day

  • Childcare arrangements that helped mothers to go out to work

    National

    The proportion of mothers in paid work selecting the childcare arrangements that helped them go out to work.

    Number of rows
    14
    Indicators
    • Proportion selecting reason
    Filters
    • Childcare arrangements that helped mothers to go out to work
    Time period
    2021
    Data set information page for Childcare arrangements that helped mothers to go out to work
    Create table using Childcare arrangements that helped mothers to go out to work

  • Reasons for not using childcare in the last year

    National

    The proportion of families who had not used any childcare in the last year selecting the reasons for not doing so.

    Number of rows
    68
    Indicators
    • Proportion selecting each response
    Filters
    • Age of children in family
    • Reason selected
    • Type of reason: choice or constraint
    Time period
    2021
    Data set information page for Reasons for not using childcare in the last year
    Create table using Reasons for not using childcare in the last year

  • Changes to childcare provision that would make it better suited to parents’ needs by age of children in the family

    National

    The proportion of families with child(ren) aged 0 to 14 selecting the changes to childcare arrangements that would make it better suited to their needs by family annual income and rurality.

    Number of rows
    120
    Indicators
    • Proportion selecting reason
    Filters
    • Changes to childcare provision that would make it better suited to parents’ needs
    • Family and area characteristics
    Time period
    2021
    Data set information page for Changes to childcare provision that would make it better suited to parents’ needs by age of children in the family
    Create table using Changes to childcare provision that would make it better suited to parents’ needs by age of children in the family

  • Percentage of parents rating the affordability of local childcare as very or fairly good, 2008 to 2021

    National

    The proportion of families with child(ren) aged 0 to 14 rating the affordability of local childcare as very or fairly good over time.

    Number of rows
    42
    Indicators
    • Percentage of parents rating the affordability of local childcare as very or fairly good
    Filters
    • Age of children in family
    Time period
    2008 to 2021
    Data set information page for Percentage of parents rating the affordability of local childcare as very or fairly good, 2008 to 2021
    Create table using Percentage of parents rating the affordability of local childcare as very or fairly good, 2008 to 2021

  • Percentage of parents rating the quality of local childcare as very or fairly good, 2008 to 2021

    National

    The proportion of families with child(ren) aged 0 to 14 rating the quality of local childcare as very or fairly good over time.

    Number of rows
    42
    Indicators
    • Percentage of parents rating the quality of local childcare as very or fairly good
    Filters
    • Age of children in family
    Time period
    2008 to 2021
    Data set information page for Percentage of parents rating the quality of local childcare as very or fairly good, 2008 to 2021
    Create table using Percentage of parents rating the quality of local childcare as very or fairly good, 2008 to 2021

  • Awareness of the entitlement to government funded early education for 2-year-olds

    National

    The awareness of the government funded early education for two-year-olds of families with a two-year-old.

    Number of rows
    6
    Indicators
    • Proportion selecting reason
    Filters
    • Age of children in family
    • Awareness of the entitlement to government funded early education for 2-year-olds
    Time period
    2021
    Data set information page for Awareness of the entitlement to government funded early education for 2-year-olds
    Create table using Awareness of the entitlement to government funded early education for 2-year-olds

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

    National

    The frequency with which all children aged 0 to 5 engage in home learning activities with someone at home.

    Number of rows
    36
    Indicators
    • Proportion of families engaging in home learning activities at least once a day, among children aged 0-4
    Filters
    • Frequency
    • Home learning activities
    Time period
    2021
    Data set information page for Frequency with which children engage in home learning activities with someone at home
    Create table using Frequency with which children engage in home learning activities with someone at home

  • Percentage of parents saying the availability of local childcare places is ‘about right’, 2008 to 2021

    National

    The proportion of families with child(ren) aged 0 to 14 rating the availability of local childcare as ‘about right’ over time.

    Number of rows
    42
    Indicators
    • Percentage of parents saying the availability of local childcare places is ‘about right’
    Filters
    • Age of children in family
    Time period
    2008 to 2021
    Data set information page for Percentage of parents saying the availability of local childcare places is ‘about right’, 2008 to 2021
    Create table using Percentage of parents saying the availability of local childcare places is ‘about right’, 2008 to 2021

  • Percentage of families using childcare providers among families with children aged 0 to 4 years, 2010 to 2021

    National

    The proportion of families with children aged 0-4 using any childcare, formal childcare  and informal childcare by year. The Technical Report which accompanies this report provides further methodological information on the survey design, sample, fieldwork, data analysis, interpretation, weighting and definitions used. - The survey uses a broad definition of ‘childcare’: Parents were asked to include any time that the child was not with a resident parent, a resident parent’s current (or ex-) husband, wife, or partner, or at school. In order to remind parents to include all possible people or organisations that may have looked after their children, they were shown a list of childcare providers: nursery schools, nursery classes, reception classes, special day schools, day nurseries, playgroups, childminders, nannies or au-pairs, baby-sitters, breakfast clubs, after-school clubs and holiday clubs, grandparents, older brother/sisters, other relatives, friends or neighbours. 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. - Detailed information about childcare was collected for one ‘reference child’ in each household-  Because of the constraint of interview length, detailed information on the use and needs of all children in the family could not be collected (unless the child was an only child). Rather, in families where there were two or more children, we obtained a broad picture about the childcare arrangements of all children, before asking more detailed questions about one randomly selected child. - Detailed information was collected for childcare use during term-time periods: As childcare arrangements may vary between school term-time and school holidays, most of the questions focused on a reference term-time week (which was the most recent term-time week). A separate set of questions was asked about the use of childcare during the school holidays.

    Number of rows
    36
    Indicators
    • Percentage of children aged 0-4 using childcare providers in the most recent term time week, 2010 to 2021
    Filters
    • Childcare type
    Time period
    2010 to 2021
    Data set information page for Percentage of families using childcare providers among families with children aged 0 to 4 years, 2010 to 2021
    Create table using Percentage of families using childcare providers among families with children aged 0 to 4 years, 2010 to 2021

  • Percentage of families using childcare providers among families with children aged 0 to 14 years, 2010 to 2021

    National

    The proportion of families with children aged 0-14 using any childcare, formal childcare  and informal childcare by year. The Technical Report which accompanies this report provides further methodological information on the survey design, sample, fieldwork, data analysis, interpretation, weighting and definitions used. - The survey uses a broad definition of ‘childcare’: Parents were asked to include any time that the child was not with a resident parent, a resident parent’s current (or ex-) husband, wife, or partner, or at school. In order to remind parents to include all possible people or organisations that may have looked after their children, they were shown a list of childcare providers: nursery schools, nursery classes, reception classes, special day schools, day nurseries, playgroups, childminders, nannies or au-pairs, baby-sitters, breakfast clubs, after-school clubs and holiday clubs, grandparents, older brother/sisters, other relatives, friends or neighbours. 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. - Detailed information about childcare was collected for one ‘reference child’ in each household-  Because of the constraint of interview length, detailed information on the use and needs of all children in the family could not be collected (unless the child was an only child). Rather, in families where there were two or more children, we obtained a broad picture about the childcare arrangements of all children, before asking more detailed questions about one randomly selected child. - Detailed information was collected for childcare use during term-time periods: As childcare arrangements may vary between school term-time and school holidays, most of the questions focused on a reference term-time week (which was the most recent term-time week). A separate set of questions was asked about the use of childcare during the school holidays.

    Number of rows
    36
    Indicators
    • Percentage of children aged 0-14 using childcare providers in the most recent term time week, 2010 to 2021
    Filters
    • Childcare type
    Time period
    2010 to 2021
    Data set information page for Percentage of families using childcare providers among families with children aged 0 to 14 years, 2010 to 2021
    Create table using Percentage of families using childcare providers among families with children aged 0 to 14 years, 2010 to 2021

  • Headline Statistics

    National

    Headline stats.

    Number of rows
    1
    Indicators
    • Proportion of children aged 0-14 using any childcare in 2021
    • Proportion of children aged 0-4 using any childcare in 2021
    • Proportion of working mothers of 0-14-year-olds who said that having reliable childcare helping them go to work
    Time period
    2021
    Data set information page for Headline Statistics
    Create table using Headline Statistics
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Supporting files

Supporting files provide an area for teams to supply non-standard files for download by users where required.

6 supporting data files

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Data guidance

Description of the data sets included in this release, including information on data sources, coverage, quality and any data conventions used.

The Technical Report which accompanies this report provides further methodological information on the survey design, sample, fieldwork, data analysis, interpretation, weighting and definitions used.

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Contact us

If you have a specific enquiry about Childcare and early years survey of parents statistics and data:

Early Years Analysis and Research

Email: EY.ANALYSISANDRESEARCH@education.gov.uk
Contact name: Rachel Murphy

Press office

If you have a media enquiry:

Telephone: 020 7783 8300

Public enquiries

If you have a general enquiry about the Department for Education (DfE) or education:

Phone: 0370 000 2288

Opening times

Monday to Friday from 9.30am to 5.30pm (closed on bank holidays)

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