Scottish Government

ISBN 978 0 7559 6899 2 (Web only publication)
This document is also available in pdf format (2.4mb)
There is an accompanying Research Findings see link

CONTENTS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

INTRODUCTION
BACKGROUND TO THE RESEARCH
STUDY AIM
OBJECTIVES OF THE RESEARCH
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH
QUALITATIVE RESEARCH
REPORT STRUCTURE

SECTION ONE - CURRENT USAGE AND NON-USAGE OF CHILDCARE
INTRODUCTION
DEMOGRAPHICS OF THE SAMPLE
TYPE AND NATURE OF CHILDCARE USED
PROVISION IN A TYPICAL WEEK
TYPE OF PROVIDER
ALL CHILDCARE PROVISION USED
HOURS OF USAGE
MAIN PROVIDER
TOTAL PROVISION
PRE-SCHOOL EDUCATION

SECTION TWO - REASONS FOR USE OF CHILDCARE AND MOTIVATING FACTORS
INTRODUCTION
THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT FACTOR IN CHILDCARE DECISIONS
ALL RESPONDENTS
BY TYPE OF PROVISION USED
BY HOUSEHOLD INCOME
THE TOP THREE CONSIDERATIONS
ALL CONSIDERATIONS OF IMPORTANCE
PROFILES FOR DIFFERENT GROUPS OF PARENTS
QUALITATIVE INDICATIONS OF PARENTAL MOTIVATIONS

SECTION THREE - CHILDCARE PREFERENCES
INTRODUCTION
IDEAL ARRANGEMENTS - TYPE OF PROVIDER
ALL TYPES OF PROVISION
FORMAL PROVISION
IDEAL VERSUS CURRENT PROVISION
ISSUES RELATING TO NUMBER OF CHILDREN
ADDITIONAL SUPPORT NEEDS
DAYS AND TIMES OF REGULAR CHILDCARE DEMAND
DAYS THAT CHILDCARE IS USED
TIMES THAT CHILDCARE IS USED
TIMES THAT CHILDCARE IS NOT AVAILABLE

SECTION FOUR - PARENTS' OPINIONS AND KNOWLEDGE OF INFORMATION SOURCES AND CHANGES IN CHILDCARE ARRANGEMENTS
INTRODUCTION
CHANGES TO CHILDCARE ARRANGEMENTS
CHANGES IN THE LAST YEAR
PLANNED, PERMANENT, SIGNIFICANT CHANGES IN THE LAST SIX MONTHS
PLANNED, TEMPORARY, SIGNIFICANT CHANGES IN THE LAST SIX MONTHS
INFORMATION SOURCES
SOURCES OF INFORMATION USED IN THE LAST YEAR
USE AND AWARENESS OF LOCAL CHILDCARE INFORMATION SERVICES ( CHIS)
GAPS IN INFORMATION AVAILABLE

SECTION FIVE - GAPS IN PROVISION AND CONSTRAINTS
INTRODUCTION
GAPS IN PROVISION
TYPICAL PROVISION
UNEXPECTED CHANGES IN ARRANGEMENTS OR REQUIREMENTS
DECISIONS TO WORK, STUDY OR NOT
WORKING OR NOT WORKING
TRAINING, STUDYING OR NOT
THE INFLUENCE OF CHILDCARE ON CHOSEN WORK PATTERNS
WORKING PATTERNS
CONSTRAINTS IN ACCESSING AVAILABLE CHILDCARE

SECTION SIX - COSTS OF CHILDCARE
INTRODUCTION
COST OF CHILDCARE
IMPORTANCE OF FREE CHILDCARE PROVISION

SECTION SEVEN - CONCLUSIONS
INTRODUCTION
CONCLUSIONS

ANNEX 1
ANNEX 2
ANNEX 3
ANNEX 4

Contact: Jenny Hay
Tel: 0131 222 4581
E-mail: jenny.hay@dtz.com

In association with:
Scottish Government Social Research
December 2007

The views expressed in the report are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of the Scottish Government or any other organisation(s) by which the author(s) is/are employed.

The Scottish Government is making this research report available on-line in order to provide access to its contents for those interested in the subject. The Executive* commissioned the research but has not exercised editorial control over the report.

It should be noted that since this research was commissioned a new Scottish government has been formed, which means that the report reflects commitments and strategic objectives conceived under the previous administration. The policies, strategies, objectives and commitments referred to in this report should not therefore be treated as current Government policy. (* References to 'Scottish Executive' are still retained in the body of the report).

This web only report is accompanied by the web only Research Findings No. 32 "Parents' Access to and Demand for Childcare Survey 2006".

Both documents are published by Education Information and Analytical Services, Scottish Government, Victoria Quay, Edinburgh, EH6 6QQ. If you have any enquiries about these reports please contact the Dissemination Officer on 0131-244-0894; by e-mail on recs.admin@scotland.gsi.gov.uk or visit our website www.scotland.gov.uk/insight.

Both reports were published in December 2007

The views expressed in this report are those of the researcher and
do not necessarily represent those of the Department or Scottish Ministers.