Parents surveys

Parents' childcare survey

The current survey series began in 2004. It replaced the two series that preceded it, the Parents’ demand for childcare survey series and the Survey of parents of three- and four-year-old children and their use of early years services series.

This survey collects information on parents’ use of childcare and early years provision over the past year and, in more detail, over the last week. Questions are also asked about the costs of paying for childcare and early years provision, the reasons for using provision and the sources of information on and attitudes towards provision in the local area.

Two further surveys are planned for 2008 and 2009. For further information on this survey series contact Anna Upson by telephone on 0207 273 5719 or by email at anna.upson@dcsf.gsi.gov.uk.

2007 parents’ childcare survey: Childcare and early years provision – a study of parents’ use, views and experience

• Research Brief RB025
• Research Report RR025A

2004 parents’ childcare survey: Childcare and early years provision – a study of parents’ use, views and experience

• Research Brief RB723
• Research Report RR723

Parents’ demand for childcare survey

This survey was conducted in 1999 and 2001. It focused on families with children aged 14 and under and collected information on their use of childcare and early years provision over the past year and over the last week. With an interest in childcare used for economic and other reasons, it collected information about services used at any time during the day or week.

Repeat study of parents' demand for childcare

• Research Brief 348
• Research Report 348

Parents' demand for childcare

• Research Brief 176
• Research Report 176 – not available online

Survey of parents of three- and four-year-old children and their use of early years services

This survey series was conducted between 1997 and 2002. The surveys were carried out with families with children aged three and four and focused on early years provision, collecting information only about services used Monday to Friday, 8am until 6pm to establish rates of participation for three- and four-year-olds in all forms of nursery education and childcare in England.

Fifth survey of parents of three- and four-year-old children and their use of early years services

• Research Brief 351
• Research Report 351

Fourth survey of parents of three- and four-year-old children and their use of early years services

• Research Brief 247
• Research Report 247

Third survey of parents of three- and four-year-old children and their use of early years services

• Research Brief 189
• Research Report – not available online

Second survey of parents of three- and four-year-old children and their use of early years services

• Research Brief 120 – not available online
• Research Report 120 – not available online

First survey of parents of three- and four-year-old children and their use of early years services

• Research Brief 31
• Research Report – not available online

Parental involvement in children's education 2007

This report, published in May 2007, summarises the findings from a survey of parents and carers of children, in order to examine parental involvement in children’s education.