Publication - Research and analysis
Parents' views and use of early learning and childcare: data tables
Figures showing parents’ and carers’ current use, future potential use, views and experiences of early learning and childcare.
Use of early learning and childcare
Table A1: Use of funded, paid and informal ELC (with eligible children)
| Overall | Most deprived | Least deprived | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Funded ELC only | 16% | 22% | 10% |
| Funded and paid or informal ELC | 73% | 63% | 79% |
| Funded + paid + informal | 31% | 23% | 36% |
| Funded + paid | 21% | 15% | 27% |
| Funded + informal | 21% | 25% | 15% |
| Unfunded ELC | 7% | 5% | 10% |
| No ELC | 5% | 10% | 1% |
| Base (unweighted) | 5931 | 581 | 1326 |
Table A2: Reasons cited by parents not using funded ELC for their eligible child
| 3/4 year olds | 2 year olds | |
|---|---|---|
| No reason/I don't know | 15% | 22% |
| I think my child is too young | 20% | 24% |
| I want to look after my child myself most of the time | 16% | 16% |
| My child wouldn't like to be separated from myself or my partner | 6% | - |
| I don't think it would be good for my child's development | 7% | - |
| I don't think it would be good for my child's wellbeing | 9% | 2% |
| I don't think it would be good for my relationship with my child | 5% | - |
| I was not aware of the availability of funded childcare | 21% | 22% |
| I don't know how to apply for funded childcare/I find applying too difficult | 14% | 9% |
| I cannot afford childcare, even if it's free, because there are always some associated costs | 2% | 2% |
| Transport is not available or the travel time is too long | - | 12% |
| The travel costs would be too high | - | 9% |
| A lack of flexibility or choice in available opening hours | 14% | 19% |
| A lack of flexibility or choice in available childcare settings or types of childcare | 13% | 16% |
| There are no available providers near me | 14% | 21% |
| There are no providers available that I could trust to provide a high quality service | 3% | 6% |
| There are no providers available that meet the additional support needs of my child | 3% | 2% |
| Base (unweighted) | 67 | 51 |
Table A3: Types of ELC provider used (those with eligible children)
| Overall | Most deprived | Least deprived | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local authority nursery class attached to primary school | 55% | 50% | 52% |
| Local authority nursery class not attached to primary school | 14% | 22% | 9% |
| Private nursery | 42% | 31% | 54% |
| Community/voluntary nursery | 2% | 2% | 3% |
| Playgroup | 13% | 9% | 13% |
| Family centre | 2% | 4% | 2% |
| Childminder | 13% | 8% | 14% |
| Other | 3% | 3% | 3% |
| Base (unweighted) | 5696 | 523 | 1308 |
Table A4: Factors influencing choice of ELC provider (with eligible children)
| Overall | Most deprived | Least deprived | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Provider had a good reputation | 63% | 62% | 69% |
| I read inspection reports | 36% | 31% | 45% |
| Convenient location for my home | 67% | 66% | 72% |
| Convenient location for my work | 20% | 18% | 23% |
| Child could mix with other children | 41% | 41% | 46% |
| I liked/trusted the staff | 51% | 53% | 52% |
| It was the only provider available in the area | 8% | 8% | 5% |
| It had no (or a short) waiting list | 8% | 11% | 7% |
| Because everyone in my local area/neighbourhood goes there | 10% | 8% | 10% |
| It had a good outdoor space for my child to use | 40% | 37% | 47% |
| Child's older sibling went to same provider | 27% | 26% | 29% |
| It was attached to a primary school which my child will go to | 39% | 30% | 43% |
| It was the most affordable option available to me | 8% | 8% | 8% |
| It provided the flexibility in hours I needed | 25% | 22% | 29% |
| I was confident that staff had the skills required to support my child's needs | 43% | 47% | 44% |
| Other | 1% | 1% | 0% |
| Base (unweighted) | 5535 | 570 | 1313 |
Table A5a: Total weekly hours of ELC per child (with eligible children)
| 3/4 year olds | 2 year olds | |
|---|---|---|
| Average | 29.2 hrs | 23.9 hrs |
| Up to 8 hours | 1% | 6% |
| 8-15 hours | 14% | 26% |
| 16-29 hours | 35% | 33% |
| 30-39 hours | 29% | 24% |
| 40+ hours | 21% | 10% |
| Base (unweighted) | 5434 | 123 |
Table A5b: Weekly funded hours of ELC per child (with eligible children)
| 3/4 year olds | 2 year olds | |
|---|---|---|
| Average | 13.9 hrs | 13.4 hrs |
| Up to 10 hours | 13% | 24% |
| 10-14 hours | 8% | 3% |
| 15+ hours | 79% | 76% |
| Base (unweighted) | 5155 | 100 |
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