Reporting year 2024

Childcare and early years survey of parents

Data guidance

Published 10 July 2025

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 15 and 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
• 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.
• * means the figure rounds to 0, but is not 0.

Data files

All data files associated with this releases are listed below with guidance on their content. To download any of these files, please visit our data catalogue.

1. Changes to provision

• Filename: ceysp24_changes_to_provision.csv
• Geographic levels: National
• Time period: 2023 to 2024
• Content:
  The proportion of families with child(ren) aged 0 to 4 and 5 to 14 saying that various changes to childcare arrangements would make it better suited to their needs.

Variable names and descriptions

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

1. Childcare use in school holidays

• Filename: ceysp24_childcare_school_holidays_ts.csv
• Geographic levels: National
• Time period: 2008 to 2024
• Content:
  Proportion of families using childcare during the school holidays.

Variable names and descriptions

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name	Variable description
proportion	Proportion
type_of_childcare	Childcare type

Footnotes

1. x is used when the data is unavailable. This is used when the data was not collected in that year.
2. Caution should be taken when comparing 2021 figures with other years due to the potential impact of COVID-19 disruptions on the 2021 data.
3. 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.
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.

1. Childcare use by families

• Filename: ceysp24_childcare_use_families_ts.csv
• Geographic levels: National
• Time period: 2010 to 2024
• Content:
  The proportion of families with children aged 0-14 (split by age bands) using childcare in the most recent term-time week by year.

Variable names and descriptions

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name	Variable description
child(ren)_age	Child(ren) age
childcare_type	Childcare type
proportion	Percentage of families using childcare providers

Footnotes

1. x is used when the data is unavailable. This is used when the data was not collected in that year.
2. Caution should be taken when comparing 2021 figures with other years due to the potential impact of COVID-19 disruptions on the 2021 data.
3. 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.
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.

1. Childcare use by children

• Filename: ceysp24_childcare_use_ts.csv
• Geographic levels: National
• Time period: 2010 to 2024
• Content:
  The proportion of children aged 0-14 (split by age groups) using childcare in the most recent term time week by year.

Variable names and descriptions

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name	Variable description
childcare_type	Childcare type
children_aged	Children aged
proportion	Percentage of children using childcare providers in the most recent term time week

Footnotes

1. x is used when the data is unavailable. This is used when the data was not collected in that year.
2. Caution should be taken when comparing 2021 figures with other years due to the potential impact of COVID-19 disruptions on the 2021 data.
3. 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.
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.

1. Reasons not using childcare

• Filename: ceysp24_reasons_not_using_families.csv
• Geographic levels: National
• Time period: 2023 to 2024
• Content:
  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

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

2. Awareness of funded support for 2yo

• Filename: ceysp24_awareness_funded_support_2yo.csv
• Geographic levels: National
• Time period: 2024
• Content:
  Awareness of funded childcare support offers for parents with 2 year olds.

Variable names and descriptions

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
family_annual_income	Family Annual Income
proportion	Proportion selecting reason

5. Home Learning Environment

• Filename: CEYSP24_HLE.csv
• Geographic levels: National
• Time period: 2017 to 2024
• Content:
  The proportion of families saying that they engage in various home learning activities at least once a day, by year.

Variable names and descriptions

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

Footnotes

1. x is used when the data is unavailable. This is used when the data was not collected in that year.

5. Home Learning Environment activities

• Filename: CEYSP24_HLE_Activities.csv
• Geographic levels: National
• Time period: 2024
• Content:
  The frequency with which parents engage in various home-learning activities with their children.

Variable names and descriptions

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

6. Maternal work

• Filename: CEYSP24_Maternal_work_TS.csv
• Geographic levels: National
• Time period: 2010 to 2024
• Content:
  The proportion of mothers reporting that they were working.

Variable names and descriptions

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

Footnotes

1. x is used when the data is unavailable. This is used when the data was not collected in that year.
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.

6. Work factors by child age

• Filename: CEYSP24_Work_Factors_0-4_5-14_All.csv
• Geographic levels: National
• Time period: 2024
• Content:
  Factors that influence the decision to work by child age

Variable names and descriptions

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

Footnotes

1. * denotes a percentage value of less than 0.5% but greater than 0%.

2. Awareness of 15 hours entitlement for 3 yo and 4yo

• Filename: ceysp24_awareness_15_hours_34yo.csv
• Geographic levels: National
• Time period: 2024
• Content:
  The proportion of parents aware of the 15 hours entitlement for 3 year olds and 4 year olds.

Variable names and descriptions

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

2. Awareness of 30 hours entitlement for 3 yo and 4yo

• Filename: ceysp24_awareness_30_hours_34yo.csv
• Geographic levels: National
• Time period: 2024
• Content:
  The proportion of parents aware of the 15 hours entitlement for 3 year olds and 4 year olds.

Variable names and descriptions

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

2. Work impact 30 hours 34yo

• Filename: CEYSP24_30hours_34yo_work_impact.csv
• Geographic levels: National
• Time period: 2024
• Content:
  The perceived work impact of the 30 hour working families entitlement for 3 and 4 year olds.

Variable names and descriptions

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

2. Awareness of 30 hours entitlement for 9m to 2yo

• Filename: ceysp24_awareness_30_hours_9m2yo.csv
• Geographic levels: National
• Time period: 2024
• Content:
  Awareness of the 30 hour working families entitlement for 9 month to 2 year olds.

Variable names and descriptions

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name	Variable description
awareness	Awareness of the new 30 hours offer
family_characteristic	Family and area characteristics
proportion	Proportion selecting reason

3. Affordability good

• Filename: CEYSP24_affordability_age_TS.csv
• Geographic levels: National
• Time period: 2010 to 2024
• Content:
  Proportion of parents over time (by child age) judging the affordability of childcare as good.

Variable names and descriptions

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. x is used when the data is unavailable. This is used when the data was not collected in that year.
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.

3. Difficulty meeting costs

• Filename: CEYSP24_difficulty_paying_TS.csv
• Geographic levels: National
• Time period: 2010 to 2024
• Content:
  Proportion of parents overtime finding it difficult to meet their childcare costs.

Variable names and descriptions

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. x is used when the data is unavailable. This is used when the data was not collected in that year.
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. Availability about right

• Filename: CEYSP24_availability_age_TS.csv
• Geographic levels: National
• Time period: 2008 to 2024
• Content:
  Families with child(ren) aged 0 to 4 and 5 to 14 perceive the availability of local childcare overtime as about right.

Variable names and descriptions

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. x is used when the data is unavailable. This is used when the data was not collected in that year.
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. Availability not enough

• Filename: CEYSP24_availability_notenough_age_TS.csv
• Geographic levels: National
• Time period: 2010 to 2024
• Content:
  Families with child(ren) aged 0 to 4 and 5 to 14 perceive the availability of local childcare overtime as not enough.

Variable names and descriptions

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. x is used when the data is unavailable. This is used when the data was not collected in that year.
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. Quality good

• Filename: CEYSP24_quality_age_TS.csv
• Geographic levels: National
• Time period: 2008 to 2024
• Content:
  Families with child(ren) aged 0 to 4 and 5 to 14 perceive the quality of local childcare as good overtime.

Variable names and descriptions

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. x is used when the data is unavailable. This is used when the data was not collected in that year.
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. Parent Perceptions_04

• Filename: CEYSP24_parent_perceptions_TS.csv
• Geographic levels: National
• Time period: 2008 to 2024
• Content:
  Parental perceptions on local childcare for 0-4 year olds.

Variable names and descriptions

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. x is used when the data is unavailable. This is used when the data was not collected in that year.
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.

2. Entitlements use

• Filename: ceysp24_entitlements_use.csv
• Geographic levels: National
• Time period: 2024
• Content:
  Use of different funded entitlements by child age.

Variable names and descriptions

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name	Variable description
children_aged	Children aged
entitlement_type	Entitlement type
proportion	Percentage of children using childcare providers in the most recent term time week

2. Satisfaction funded hours

• Filename: ceysp24_satisfaction_funded_hours.csv
• Geographic levels: National
• Time period: 2024
• Content:
  Satisfaction with how funded childcare hours can be used.

Variable names and descriptions

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name	Variable description
childcare_offer	Childcare offer
proportion	Proportion selecting satisfaction level
satisfaction	Satisfaction

2. Hours impact 15 hours for 2yo

• Filename: ceysp24_15_hours_2yo_hours_impact.csv
• Geographic levels: National
• Time period: 2024
• Content:
  Perceived impact on work hours for the new 15 hour childcare entitlement for 2 year olds.

Variable names and descriptions

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name	Variable description
change_in_hours	Were the 15 hours offer not available…
family_characteristic	Family characteristic
proportion	Proportion

Footnotes

1. Answers from lone parents and those with an annual family income under £30,000 are both based on fewer than 50 respondents. These results should therefore be interpreted with caution.

2. Employment choice impact 15 hours for 2yo

• Filename: ceysp24_15_hours_2yo_work_choices.csv
• Geographic levels: National
• Time period: 2024
• Content:
  Perceived impact on employment choices of the new 15 hour childcare entitlement for 2 year olds.

Variable names and descriptions

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name	Variable description
family_characteristic	Family characteristic
proportion	Proportion
work_choice	Impact on employment choices

Footnotes

1. Answers from lone parents and those with an annual family income under £30,000 are both based on fewer than 50 respondents. These results should therefore be interpreted with caution.