Reporting year 2022

Childcare and early years survey of parents

Data guidance

Published 27 July 2023

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

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.

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:

  The proportion of families with children aged 0-14 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
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:

  The proportion of families with children aged 0-4 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
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:

  The proportion of children aged 0-14 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
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:

  The proportion of children aged 0-4 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
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:

  The proportion of families with school-aged children using childcare during school holidays by year.

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. 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:

  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

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:

  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

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:

  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

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:

  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

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:

  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

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:

  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

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:

  How families with child(ren) aged 0 to 14 rate the quality of local childcare.

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. 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:

  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

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:

  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

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:

  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

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:

  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

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:

  How families with child(ren) aged 0 to 14 rate the affordability of local childcare.

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. 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:

  The proportion of families that say they find it difficult to meet their childcare costs, by year

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. 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:

  The proportion of families who rate the quality of local childcare as good, by year

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. 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:

  The proportion of families with children aged 5-14 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
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:

  The proportion of children aged 5-11 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
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:

  The proportion of children aged 12-14 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
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:

  The proportion of families saying that various changes to childcare provision would make it better

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

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:

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

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

Maternal employment patterns

• Filename: ceysp22_maternal_work_ts.csv
• Geographic levels: National
• Time period: 2010 to 2022
• 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

Table of data for headline boxes

• Filename: ceysp22-highlights_v5.csv
• Geographic levels: National
• Time period: 2022
• Content:

  Headline statistics

Variable names and descriptions

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:

  Proportion of parents saying that there is not enough local childcare, by year

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. 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.