Parents' Access to and Demand for Childcare Survey 2006: Final Report

ANNEX 2: 2006 QUANTITATIVE SURVEY RESULTS

SECTION ONE - SCREENING AND QUOTAS

Table 1.1. Number of children aged under 14 and under living in the household

1	46%
2	40%
3	11%
4	2%
5	0.2%
Total	100%

Base: 1304

Table 1.2. Age of child selected for interview

0	3%
1	5%
2	7%
3	8%
4	7%
5	7%
6	8%
7	7%
8	6%
9	6%
10	8%
11	8%
12	7%
13	7%
14	7%
Total	100%

Base: 1304

Table 1.3. Ages of all children

Aged 0	3%
Aged 1	4%
Aged 2	6%
Aged 3	7%
Aged 4	6%
Aged 5	7%
Aged 6	9%
Aged 7	7%
Aged 8	6%
Aged 9	7%
Aged 10	8%
Aged 11	8%
Aged 12	7%
Aged 13	7%
Aged 14	6%
Aged 16	0.1%
Total	100%

Base: 2226 (all children living in household of respondent)

Table 1.4. Sex of all children

Male	52%
Female	48%
Total	100%

Base: 2226 (all children living in household of respondent)

Table 1.5. Is the child selected at school? (if aged 4 or 5)

Yes	59%
No	41%
Total	100%

Base: 174

Section two - Childcare Arrangements Over a Typical Week

Table 2.1. Main Type of Childcare Provision in a typical week (including those who do not use childcare)

Do not use childcare	58%
A family member	15%
Nursery	11%
Childminder	6%
Out of School Club	5%
Pre-school	1%
A friend or neighbour	1%
Playgroup	1%
Breakfast Club	1%
Children/ Family Centre	0.2%
Holiday Play Scheme	0.2%
Creche	0.2%
Sitter service	0.1%
Other	0.3%
Total	100%

Base: 1304

Table 2.2. Main Type of Childcare Provision (excluding those who do not use childcare)

A family member	35%
Nursery	25%
Childminder	14%
Out of School Club	12%
Pre-school	3%
A friend of neighbour	3%
Playgroup	3%
Breakfast Club	2%
Other	1%
Children/ Family Centre	1%
Holiday Play Scheme	1%
Creche	0.4%
Sitter service	0.2%
Total	100%

Base: 547

Table 2.3. Relationship to child of family member provision

Grandparent(s)	89%
Aunt(s)/ Uncle(s)	5%
Sibling(s)	4%
Other	2%
Total	100%

Base: 190 (all those whose main provider is a family member)

Table 2.4. Nature of main provision (including those who do not use childcare)

Informal (family/friend)	16%
Public	13%
Private	11%
Voluntary	1%
Other	0.2%
Don't know	0.4%
Do not use childcare	58%
Total	100%

Base: 1304

Table 2.5. Nature of main provision (excluding those who do not use childcare)

Informal (family/friend)	38%
Public	32%
Private	27%
Voluntary	2%
Other	0.4%
Don't know	1%
Total	100%

Base: 547

Table 2.6. Hours of main provision accessed

Over 40 hours	1%
31-40 hours	5%
21-30 hours	10%
11-20 hours	35%
6-10 hours	29%
1-5 hours	18%
It varies	1%
Not stated	1%
Total	100%

Base: 547

Table 2.7. Cost per week of main provision

Nothing	51%
Less than £40 a week	13%
£20 to £49 a week	14%
£50 to £79 a week	11%
£80 or more a week	8%
Didn't say	3%
Total	100%

Base: 547

Table 2.8. Non-childcare costs associated with main provision

Nothing	77%
Less than £10 a week	16%
£10 to £19 a week	3%
£20 to £29 a week	1%
£30 to £39 a week	1%
£40 or more a week	0.2%
Didn't say	3%
Total	100%

Base: 547

Table 2.9. Childcare provision outside main provider (multi-response, excluding those who do not use any childcare in a typical week)

Childminder	1%
Nursery	3%
Pre-school	1%
Playgroup	0%
Out of School Club	1%
Creche	0%
Children/family centre	0%
Breakfast club	1%
Holiday playscheme	1%
Friend or neighbour	2%
Sitter service	0%
Family member	12%
Other	1%
No other provision	76%
Total	100%

Base: 547

Table 2.10. Nature of provision outside main provider (all providers except main provider)

Informal	50%
Public	29%
Private	17%
Don't know	5%
Voluntary	2%
Total	100%

Base = 134

Table 2.11. Hours of provision outside main provider (all providers except main provider)

Over 30 hours	1%
21-30 hours	6%
11-20 hours	16%
6-10 hours	22%
1-5 hours	41%
It varies	6%
Not applicable	8%
Total	100%

Base = 116 responses. Note: respondents could give more than one response. Where no response was given this has been excluded.

Table 2.12. Cost of provision outside main provider (all providers except main provider)

Nothing	59%
Less than £10 a week	12%
£10 to £19	4%
£20 to £29	4%
£30 to £39	3%
£40 to £49	0%
£50 or more	4%
Don't know / not applicable / it varies	15%
Total	100%

Base = 139 responses. Note: respondents could give more than one response. Where no response was given this has been excluded.

Table 2.13. Non-childcare-related costs associated with provision outside main provider (by provider)

Nothing	71%
Less than £10 a week	8%
£10or more a week	3%
Don't know / not applicable / it varies	18%
Total	100%

Base = 139 responses. Note: respondents could give more than one response. Where no response was given this has been excluded.

Table 2.14. Proportion of children aged 3 or 4 years

Proportion of total sample	11%
Proportion of sample using childcare	26%

Base: 1307 (total sample) and 547 (sample using childcare)

Children aged 3 or 4 years receiving pre-school education

75% (Base 144)

Table 2.15. Main provider of pre-school education (of those receiving pre-school education, excluding those who did not respond)

Nursery	56%
Nursery class in school	21%
Private Nursery	13%
Other	4%
Playgroup	3%
Childminder	2%
Children/ Family Centre	1%
Total	100%

Base = 108

Table 2.16. Able to secure a place with first choice of provider (of those receiving pre-school education, excluding those who did not respond)

Yes	94%
No	6%
Total	100%

Base = 100

Table 2.17. Child receiving free pre-school education (of those receiving pre-school education, excluding those who did not respond)

Yes	87%
No	13%
Total	100%

Base = 108

Table 2.18. How many hours of free pre-school education do you receive per week? (of those receiving pre-school education, excluding those who did not respond)

More than 12.5 hours	9%
12.5 hours	52%
Less than 12.5 hours	33%
Not stated	6%
Total	100%

Base = 94

Table 2.19. Receiving free pre-school education from more than one provider? (of those receiving pre-school education, excluding those who did not respond)

Yes	6%
No	94%
Total	100%

Base = 108

Table 2.20. Days of childcare usage (as a proportion of those using childcare)

Monday	81%
Tuesday	80%
Wednesday	78%
Thursday	76%
Friday	70%
Saturday	6%
Sunday	3%

Base = 547. Note: multiple responses possible

Table 2.21. Are the arrangements the same on all days that you use childcare? (as a proportion of those using childcare)

Yes	90%
No	10%
Did not answer	0.2%
Total	100%

Base = 547

Table 2.22. Please describe the nature of your usual childcare arrangements (as a proportion of those using childcare whose arrangements are the same on all days they use it)

Informal (family/friend)	37%
Public	30%
Private	27%
Don't know	3%
Other	2%
Voluntary	1%
Total	100%

Base = 494

Table 2.23. Please describe your usual type of childcare arrangements (as a proportion of those using childcare whose arrangements are the same on days they use it)

A family member	32%
Nursery	26%
Childminder	12%
Out of School Club	9%
Other	6%
Playgroup	4%
Pre-school	4%
A friend or neighbour	3%
Sitter service	2%
Breakfast club	2%
Holiday play scheme	1%
Children/ family centre	0%
Creche	0%
Total	100%

Base = 494

Table 2.24. Please describe the nature of the first of your usual childcare arrangements (as a proportion of those using childcare whose arrangements are not the same on all days they use it)

Informal	33%
Public	31%
Private	19%
Voluntary	4%
Don't know	13%
Total	100%

Base = 52

Table 2.25. Please describe the first of your usual type of childcare arrangements (as a proportion of those using childcare whose arrangements are not the same on the days they use it)

A family member	31%
Nursery	19%
Out of School Club	13%
Childminder	10%
Pre-school	6%
Creche	2%
Breakfast club	2%
Holiday play scheme	2%
A friend or neighbour	2%
Sitter service	2%
Other	12%
Total	100%

Base = 52

Table 2.26. Please describe the nature of the second of your usual childcare arrangements (as a proportion of those using childcare whose arrangements are not the same on all days they use it)

Informal	45%
Private	32%
Public	23%
Total	100%

Base = 31

Table 2.27. Please describe the second of your usual childcare arrangements (as a proportion of those using childcare whose arrangements are not the same on all days they use it)

A family member	39%
Nursery	26%
Childminder	16%
Out of School Club	6%
Sitter service	3%
Pre-school	3%
Breakfast club	3%
A friend or neighbour	3%
Total	100%

Base = 31

Table 2.28. Please describe the nature of the third of your usual childcare arrangements (as a proportion of those using childcare whose arrangements are not the same on all days they use it)

Informal (family/friend)	67%
Public	17%
Private	17%
Total	100%

Base = 6

Table 2.29. Please describe the third of your usual childcare arrangements (as a proportion of those using childcare whose arrangements are not the same on all days they use it)

A family member	33%
Nursery	17%
Playgroup	17%
Creche	17%
Neighbours	17%
Total	100%

Base = 6

Table 2.30. Please describe the nature of the third of your usual childcare arrangements (as a proportion of those using childcare whose arrangements are not the same on all days they use it)

Informal (family/ friend)	100%

Base = 3

Table 2.31. Please describe the third of your usual childcare arrangements (as a proportion of those using childcare whose arrangements are not the same on all days they use it)

A family member	100%

Base = 3

Table 2.32. Are there any specific issues/ difficulties with regards to having more than one child? (as a proportion of those using childcare with more than 1 child)

Yes	21%
No	73%
Don't know	6%
Total	100%

Base = 297

Table 2.33. Please describe childcare difficulties associated with having more than one child

Cost	37%
Travel between and coordination of different types of provision	16%
Issues related to age of one or more children	13%
Availability for more than one child with a single provider	8%
Difficulties in school holidays	6%
Other	32%

Base = 62

Section three - Changes to Usual Childcare Arrangements

Table 3.1. Have you made any permanent and significant changes to your childcare arrangements in the past six months?

Yes	7%
No	93%
Total	100%

Base = 1304

Table 3.2. Which of these best describes any permanent and significant changes to your childcare arrangements in the past six months? (as a proportion of those who have made such a change)

Changed provider	37%
Increased total number of hours but not total number of days provision	15%
Increased total number of days but not total number of hours provision	2%
Increased both total number of hours and total number of days provision	13%
Decreased total number of hours but not total number of days provision	7%
Decreased total number of days but not total number of hours provision	4%
Decreased both total number of hours and the total number of days provision	23%
Total	100%

Base = 92

Table 3.3. Why did you make the changes you have just described? (as a proportion of those who have made such a change)

Permanent changes at work	26%
Reasons related to age of child	11%
Reasons related to career/training/education of one or both parents	10%
Child started school	9%
Unhappy with previous provider	8%
Place with preferred/free provider became available	5%
Previous childcare provider closed down	3%
Permanent changes at home	3%
To reduce burden on informal carer(s)/informal carer(s) no longer able	3%
Travel/transport/coordination of childcare	2%
Cost-related	2%
Wanted to stay at home with children	2%
Identified particular needs that the child has/had that required specialist provision	1%
Other	15%
Total	100%

Base = 92

Table 3.4. Have you made any temporary, planned and significant changes to your childcare arrangements in the past six months?

Yes	4%
No	96%
Total	100%

Base = 1304

Table 3.5. Which of these best describes any temporary, planned and significant changes to your childcare arrangements in the past six months?

Changed provider	21%
Increased total number of hours but not total number of days provision	52%
Increased total number of days but not total number of hours provision	11%
Increased both total number of hours and total number of days provision	9%
Decreased total number of hours but not total number of days provision	-
Decreased total number of days but not total number of hours provision	4%
Decreased both total number of hours and the total number of days provision	5%
Total	100%

Base = 56

Table 3.6. Why did you make the changes you have just described?

School holiday	57%
Temporary planned changed at work	21%
Did not say	4%
Pregnant/on maternity leave	4%
Reasons related to career/training/education of one or both parents	4%
Reasons related to age of child	4%
Family holiday	2%
Cost-related	2%
Other	9%

Base = 56

Section four - Factors Influencing Choice of Childcare Provider

Table 4.1. What were the most important factors that are/were most important for you when choosing childcare arrangements?

	Most important	Second most important	Third most important	Other factors of importance (multi response)
Trust	31%	15%	8%	13%
Cost	16%	10%	11%	19%
Reputation/ recommendation	7%	7%	10%	16%
Location	6%	13%	14%	25%
Convenience	5%	6%	7%	19%
Reliability	4%	9%	10%	16%
Qualifications/ training of staff	3%	6%	5%	12%
Availability of a place for my child	3%	3%	5%	14%
Social opportunities for child	3%	4%	4%	12%
Educational opportunities	1%	2%	4%	8%
Availability of subsidies	1%	4%	1%	6%
There were no other options available	0%	0%	1%	2%
Other	3%	2%	1%	2%
None stated	17%	18%	19%	20%
Total	100%	100%	100%	-

Base = 1304

Section five - Costs of Childcare

Table 5.1. Weekly direct childcare costs

£0	51%
£1 to £10	8%
£11 to £20	8%
£21 to £30	7%
£31 to £40	4%
£41 to £50	4%
£51 to £75	9%
£76 to £100	4%
£101 to £150	3%
£151 to £200	1%
£201 to £250	0.2%
£301 to £400	0.4%
Total	100%

Base = 532 (those using childcare in a typical week, who disclosed the cost of this)

Table 5.2. Weekly indirect childcare costs

£0	77%
£1 to £10	19%
£11 to £20	2%
£21 to £30	1%
£31 to £40	0.2%
More than £40	0.2%
Total	100%

Base = 533 (those using childcare in a typical week, who disclosed the indirect cost of this)

Table 5.3. Please rank in order the following items of expenditure annually.

	Most costly	Second most costly	Third most costly	Fourth most costly	Fifth most costly
Rent or mortgage	52%	8%	4%	1%	1%
Childcare	2%	8%	8%	5%	14%
Groceries	5%	22%	24%	4%	1%
Transport costs	1%	8%	10%	12%	7%
Utility bills	7%	19%	19%	10%	3%
Not applicable / do not pay for childcare	34%	34%	35%	69%	73%
Total	100%	100%	100%	100%	100%

Base = 1304

Note: The proportion of respondents selecting each item shown in the first column as most costly is shown in the column headed "most costly", the proportion selecting each item as second most costly is shown in the column headed "second most costly" and so on.

Table 5.4. Are you in receipt of child tax credit? (as a proportion of those using childcare)

Yes	68%
No	32%
Total	100%

Base = 547

Table 5.5. Do you use childcare vouchers? (as a proportion of those using childcare)

	Respondent	Partner
Yes	3%	1%
No	97%	82%
Do not have a spouse/partner	-	16%
Total	100%	100%

Base = 547

Table 5.6. Are you in receipt of the childcare element of Working Tax Credit? (as a proportion of those using childcare)

Yes	41%
No	59%
Total	100%

Base = 547

Table 5.7. Do you access any free childcare provision?

Yes	35%
No	65%
Total	100%

Base = 547

Table 5.8. Importance of benefits you receive which relate to children or childcare, in terms of your decision to access the childcare? (as a proportion of those using childcare and receiving such benefits)

Vital - I would not be able to access childcare without them	17%
Very important - I would find it difficult to access childcare without them	20%
Fairly important - They are important, and I may struggle to meet childcare costs without them but would probably still meet them	16%
Not that important - I would probably still be able to meet my childcare costs without them	13%
Not at all important - I would still use childcare even if I was not in receipt of these benefits	15%
Don't know	19%
Total	100%

Base = 364

Section six - Gaps in Childcare Analysis

Table 6.1. Are there times in a typical week where you are unable to access childcare at a time when you would like to?

Yes	14%
No	86%
Total	100%

Base = 547

Table 6.2. Times of day that parents are unable to access childcare but would like to? (as a proportion of those who experience this difficulty)

During working day	42%
Early evening	29%
Early morning	26%
Later in evening	26%
Holidays	23%
Weekends	14%

Base = 77

Table 6.3. Reasons for not being able to access the childcare needed (as a proportion of those who experience this difficulty)

I cannot find anyone suitable to do it	64%
I cannot afford it	19%
My usual provider is not open/available at this time	18%
I cannot make the necessary transport arrangements	5%
I cannot find a place at all at this time / nothing open	5%
No reason given	4%
Other	8%

Base = 77

Table 6.4. When your usual childcare arrangements breakdown or you need additional childcare outside your normal arrangements what are that problems you encounter in making arrangements? (as a proportion of those using childcare)

It is difficult to find someone suitable to provide childcare	14%
It is more expensive than my normal provision	6%
It is difficult to get childcare of the same standard as my usual provision	5%
It is difficult to find someone who is suitably qualified	4%
It is difficult to make the necessary travel arrangements	3%
No difficulties / none stated	13%
Other	5%
I have never had this experience	63%

Base = 547

Section seven: Childcare Information and Perceptions

Table 7.1. In the last year, where have you looked for information about childcare/ nursery education in your local area?

None	76%
Word of mouth	12%
Local Authority	5%
Internet/ Website	3%
Childcare Information Services	2%
Local Newsletter	1%
Yellow Pages	1%
National Organisations	0.5%
Employment Centre/ Job Centre	0.4%
Care Commission	0.3%
Citizen's Advice Bureau/ Childcare partnerships	0%
Other	5%

Base = 1304

Table 7.2. Using Childcare Information Services, how easy is it to find information that is… (as a proportion of those parents who have looked for childcare information in the last year via Childcare Information Services)

	Up-to-date	Accurate	Complete
Easy	39%	42%	39%
Neither easy nor difficult	42%	52%	52%
Difficult	19%	6%	10%
Total	100%	100%	100%

Base = 31

Table 7.3. Is there anything that would be useful that you haven't been able to find? (as a proportion of those parents who have looked for childcare information in the last year via Childcare Information Services)

Yes	23%
No	77%
Total	100%

Base = 31

Table 7.4. Have you heard of your local Childcare Information Service?

Yes	34%
No	66%
Total	100%

Base = 1286

Table 7.5. Have you ever used your local Childcare Information Service? (as a proportion who have heard of Childcare Information Service)

Yes	16%
No	84%
Total	100%

Base = 438

Table 7.6. Have you needed to change your typical/ normal childcare arrangements in the last year for any reason?

Yes	10%
No	90%
Total	100%

Base = 1304

Table 7.7. Were you able to access the childcare you needed? (as a proportion of those who have had to change their arrangements for any reason in the last year)

Yes	82%
No	18%
Total	100%

Base = 130

Table 7.8. Was it as difficult as you expected to make new arrangements? (as a proportion of those who have had to change their arrangements for any reason in the last year)

Yes	42%
No	58%
Total	100%

Base = 130

Table 7.9. Was it as expensive as you expected to make new arrangements? (as a proportion of those who have had to change their arrangements for any reason in the last year)

Yes	36%
No	58%
Not Applicable	5%
Total	100%

Base = 130

Section eight - Childcare Preferences

Table 8.1. Which would be your first choice for childcare for selected child?

A family member	28%
No single main type of provision	15%
Out of School Club	13%
Nursery	13%
Childminder	11%
Playgroup	4%
Holiday play scheme	4%
Look after children myself	3%
A friend or neighbour	3%
Pre-school	2%
Breakfast club	2%
Children/ family centre	1%
Creche	1%
Other	1%
Total	100%

Base = 1304

Table 8.2. If a family member is first choice of provider, state relationship to child

Parent	14%
Grandparent	75%
Sibling	5%
Did not say	1%
Aunt/Uncle	4%
Other	1%
Total	100%

Base = 361

Table 8.3. Reason for first choice of provider

Reliability / trust / know provider already	21%
Social opportunities for child	14%
It is close to home / school / work	11%
I prefer for myself/partner to look after child	6%
It's more appropriate / suitable than other providers	6%
It's safe and secure	5%
It is the best for child / best form of childcare	4%
Prefer that a family member / friend looks after children	4%
Child is happy / fun for child	4%
Cost / affordability	4%
Family / home environment	4%
Activities are good / keep child amused	3%
More attention / 1 to 1 contact	3%
Work related reasons	2%
Other	2%
Prefer this arrangement	2%
It's flexible	2%
Quality/experience of staff	2%
Age related reasons	2%
Educational opportunities	2%
No need for childcare	1%
Have used before	1%
Summer holidays are a problem	1%
Child has illness / support needs	1%
Feel happy with arrangement	1%
To take burden off / provide respite	1%
Will help child to be better prepared for school	1%
It is readily available	1%
Could not afford alternative childcare	1%
Good reputation	1%
There is no childcare provision available in the area	1%
The service / provision is excellent	1%
Good / familiar atmosphere / environment	1%
It is beneficial / ideal	1%
Child needs it / would benefit from it	1%
Child and provider have a close bond	0.4%
Already worked in childcare	0.4%
Don't want to be dependant on one person	0.4%
Only use infrequently	0.4%
Easily available / accessible	0.3%
It's more personal	0.3%
It offers consistent / regular childcare	0.3%
Too old for childcare	0.2%
Did not say	16%

Base = 1124

Table 8.4. If you had to choose a formal childcare provider, what would be your first choice? (as a proportion of those who chose a informal provider as their first choice)

Out of School Club		34%
Childminder		20%
Baby-sitter in our home		6%
Local authority creche/ nursery		4%
Nursery class attached to a primary school		4%
Nanny		3%
Local authority playgroup/ pre-school		3%
Private creche/ nursery		2%
Family centre		1%
Other		8%
Could not/did not specify a formal provider		16%
Total		100%

Base = 399

Table 8.5. Reasons for first choice of formal provider (where ideal provision is informal)

Reputation / trust / used before	18%
It's the next best / most suitable option	15%
Social opportunities for child	12%
Child would like it / fun / good activities	11%
Don't know / couldn't choose a formal provider / couldn't afford a formal provider	9%
Convenient location	9%
Other	8%
Allows one-to-one attention	6%
Age related reasons	6%
Allows child to stay in familiar / home environment	5%
It's safe / secure	4%
Educational opportunites for child / prepare for school	3%
Flexible / available when I need it	2%

Base = 323

Table 8.6. Is your ideal choice the same as your current childcare provision?

Yes	59%
No	41%
Total	100%

Base = 1304

Table 8.7. What is the main reason why you do not use this provider at the moment? (as a proportion of those whose ideal arrangements and current arrangements differ)

Do not use childcare	41%
Cost related	16%
Not available at the time(s) needed	15%
Not available	6%
Don't know / didn't say	6%
Reasons related to the age of the child	4%
Too far away	2%
Use only informal provision	2%
Other	8%
Total	100%

Base = 523

Table 8.8. If you could only change one thing about your childcare arrangements what would it be?

I would like to reduce the financial burden of childcare on my household	8%
I would like to reduce the burden I place on informal carers	6%
I would like to access more childcare to allow me to work/train/study	6%
I would like to be able to access more formal care outside normal working hours	4%
Other	4%
None	70%
Don't know	2%
Total	100%

Base = 1304

Table 8.9. Does your child have any additional needs?

Yes	4%
No	96%
Total	100%

Base = 1304

Table 8.10. If your child has any additional needs, please describe these (as a proportion of all respondents whose child has additional needs)

Physical illness/disability	26%
Learning problems or difficulties	20%
Autistic	20%
Attention deficit and/or behavioural problems	13%
Speech or sensory problems	13%
Needs one-to-one care 24 hours a day	11%
Mental health related	4%
Motor skills related	4%
Special needs	4%
Did not say	4%

Base = 46. Note: multiple responses possible

Table 8.11. How, if at all, has your child's particular need affected your childcare options or decisions? (as a proportion of those whose child has additional needs)

No effect on options/ decisions	46%
I found it difficult to access provision of a suitable nature	24%
I found it difficult to access provision of a sufficient quality	11%
I found it difficult to find a place at all	11%
I have tended to rely more on informal care	9%
I had to find a specialist provider but was able to do so locally	2%
I have had to travel further to access a specialist provider	0%
I had to find a specialist provider but found this to be affordable	0%
Other	24%

Base = 46

Section Nine - Decisions to Work, Study or Stay at Home

Table 9.1. Do you currently work?

Yes	72%
No	28%
Total	100%

Base = 1304

Table 9.2. Do you feel you had a real choice in deciding whether or not to work or not?

Yes	56%
No	41%
Don't know	3%
Total	100%

Base = 1304

Table 9.3. Were difficulties in finding affordable childcare an important factor? (as a proportion of those who did not feel they had a real choice in decision to work or not work)

Yes	51%
No	49%
Total	100%

Base = 539

Table 9.4. Were difficulties in access to childcare an important factor? (as a proportion of those who did not feel they had a real choice in decision to work or not)

Yes	44%
No	56%
Total	100%

Base = 539

Table 9.5. Overall would you say that you are happy with your decision to work/ not work?

Yes	88%
No	13%
Total	100%

Base = 1304

Table 9.6. Are you currently in training or studying?

Yes	13%
No	87%
Total	100%

Base = 1304

Table 9.7. Do you feel you had a real choice in decision whether to train/ study or not?

Yes	80%
No	15%
Don't know	5%
Total	100%

Base = 1304

Table 9.8. Were difficulties in finding affordable childcare an important factor? (as a proportion of those who did not feel they had a real choice in decision to train/study or not)

Yes	47%
No	53%
Total	100%

Base = 194

Table 9.9. Were difficulties in access to childcare an important factor? (as a proportion of those who did not feel they had a real choice in decision to train/study or not)

Yes	37%
No	63%
Total	100%

Base = 194

Table 9.10. Overall, would you say that you are happy with your decision to train/ study or not train/study?

Yes	89%
No	11%
Total	100%

Base = 1304

Table 9.11. In making a decision to go out to work/train/study, please rank the following factors according to their importance (as a proportion of households where at least one adult goes out to work/train/study)

	Most important	2nd most important	3rd most important
Affordability of accommodation ( e.g. house prices)	25%	26%	22%
Availability of high quality (formal) childcare	5%	5%	8%
Availability of affordable (formal) childcare	2%	13%	14%
Availability of informal childcare	2%	8%	13%
Job training opportunities	7%	21%	19%
Income (including benefits) that would be lost if not working	53%	20%	13%
None stated	4%	6%	10%
Total	100%	100%	100%

Base = 996

Table 9.12. In making a decision to stay at home, please rank the following factors according to their importance (as a proportion of households where at least one adult does not go out to work/train/study)

	Most important	2nd most important	3rd most important
Affordability of accommodation ( e.g. house prices)	7%	9%	25%
Availability of high quality (formal) childcare	4%	6%	7%
Availability of affordable (formal) childcare	6%	8%	11%
Availability of informal childcare	0.3%	7%	9%
Job training opportunities	2%	7%	11%
Preference to look after own child	52%	12%	3%
Benefits that would be lost if not working	14%	28%	8%
none stated	14%	23%	26%
Total	100%	100%	100%

Base = 308

Section Ten - Demographics

Table 10.1. Relationship to child

	Respondent	Partner
Natural parent	98%	97%
Adopted parent	0.4%	1%
Foster parent	0.2%	0.2%
Step parent	1%	1%
Other relative	0.4%	0.2%
Other non-relative	0.2%	1%
Total	100%	100%
Base =	1304	991

Table 10.2. Marital status (respondent)

Married	67%
Cohabiting(living together)	9%
Single/ never been married	11%
Widowed	1%
Divorced	6%
Separated	6%
Total	100%

Base = 1304

Table 10.3. How do respondent and partner share the responsibility of looking after child/children? (respondents with partners only)

Respondent has most of the responsibility	39%
Shared equally between respondent and partner	55%
Partner has most of the responsibility	6%
Total	100%

Base = 991

Table 10.4. Household tenure

Own it outright	9%
Buying it with the help of a mortgage or loan	63%
Part rent and part mortgage	1%
Rent it	24%
Live rent free	2%
Other	1%
Total	100%

Base = 1304

Table 10.5. Number of people (including respondent) aged 15 and over living in the household

1	18%
2	64%
3	13%
4	4%
5	1%
Total	100%

Base = 1304

Table 10.6. Gender of people (including respondent) aged 15 and over living in the household

	Respondent	Person 2	Person 3	Person 4	Person 5
Male	21%	73%	66%	56%	58%
Female	79%	27%	34%	44%	42%
Total	100%	100%	100%	100%	100%
Base =	1304	1066	236	66	12

Table 10.7. Age of people (including respondent) aged 15 and over living in the household

	Respondent	Person 2	Person 3	Person 4	Person 5
Under 15 (included in error)	-	0.1%	-	3%	-
15 to 24	3%	6%	91%	92%	100%
25 to 34	24%	16%	1%	2%	-
35 to 44	53%	52%	0.4%	-	-
45 +	14%	20%	5%	-	-
Did not answer	5%	5%	3%	3%	-
Total	100%	100%	100%	100%	100%
Base =	1304	1066	236	66	12

Table 10.8. Relationship to respondent of other household members aged 15

	Person 2	Person 3	Person 4	Person 5
Spouse	77%	2%	-	-
Partner	15%	-	-	-
Offspring (including step/adopted/foster)	6%	92%	94%	92%
Parent (including step/in-law)	1%	4%	2%	-
Other relative	0.3%	1%	3%	8%
Other non-relative	0.1%	1%	2%	-
Total	100%	100%	100%	100%
Base =	1066	236	66	12

Table 10.9. Normal labour market status

	Respondent	Partner
Working full-time	30%	78%
Working part-time	41%	13%
On a government training scheme	-	0.3%
Unemployed and looking for work	2%	1%
Looking after the home and family	20%	4%
Retired	1%	0.4%
Student	3%	1%
Other	3%	3%
Did not answer	0%	0.3%
Total	100%	100%
Base =	1304	991

Table 10.10. Number of hours worked in a typical week

	Respondent	Partner
1 to 19	17%	3%
20 to 34	24%	9%
35 to 39	17%	34%
40 to 49	9%	30%
50 or more	2%	11%
Do not work/did not answer	31%	12%
Total	100%	100%
Base =	1304	991

Table 10.11. Employee or self-employed (as a proportion of those who are working)

	Respondent	Partner
Employed	90%	85%
Self-employed	10%	15%
Total	100%	100%
Base =	921	895

Table 10.12. Location of work (as a proportion of those who are working)

	Respondent	Partner
Go out to work	91%	95%
Work from home	5%	2%
Mixture of both	3%	3%
Total	100%	100%
Base =	921	895

Table 10.13. Location of any studying or training

	Respondent	Partner
Go out to train/ study	7%	3%
Train/ study from home	3%	3%
Both	1%	1%
Don't do any studying or training	88%	93%
Total	100%	100%
Base =	1304	991

Table 10.14. Reduction in working hours in order to provide childcare (as a proportion of those who are working)

	Respondent	Partner
Working hours reduced	30%	7%
Working hours not reduced	70%	93%
Total	100%	100%
Base =	921	895

Table 10.15. Number of hours by which working hours reduced to provide childcare

	Respondent	Partner
1-10 hours	29%	40%
11-20 hours	54%	47%
21-30 hours	13%	10%
31-40 hours	3%	3%
Over 40 hours	0.4%	-
Total	100%	100%
Base =	266	60

Base shows % of those who have reduced their working hours to provide childcare and stated how much they reduced them by.

Table 10.16. Frequency of shift work (as a proportion of those who are working)

	Respondent	Partner
Usually	18%	17%
Sometimes	6%	7%
Never	76%	76%
Total	100%	100%
Base =	921	895

Table 10.17. Shift Patterns (as a proportion of those who are work shifts, multiple responses possible)

	Respondent	Partner
Three shift working	11%	14%
Continental shift	4%	3%
Two shift system with early and late double day shifts	13%	20%
Split shifts	15%	12%
Morning shifts	10%	7%
Evenings or twilight shifts	14%	9%
Night shifts	18%	16%
Weekend shifts	18%	16%
Other types of shift work	15%	18%
Base =	224	216

Table 10.18. Weekend working (as a proportion of those who are working)

		Respondent	Partner
Saturday	Usually	17%	18%
	Sometimes	23%	30%
	Never	59%	52%
	Total	100%	100%
Sunday	Usually	12%	12%
	Sometimes	20%	24%
	Never	68%	64%
	Total	100%	100%
Base =		921	895

Table 10.19. Main reason for being self-employed (proportion of those who are self employed)

	Respondent	Partner
Mainly because of how it fits in with bringing up your child	53%	8%
Mainly for work related reasons	43%	83%
Other	3%	9%
Total	100%	100%
Base =	90	132

Table 10.20. More particular reasons for choosing to be self-employed (proportion of those who are self employed for child-related reasons, multiple responses possible)

	Respondent	Partner
Flexibility over the hours he/she works	69%	91%
Flexibility over the time of day he/she works	40%	45%
Flexibility over which days of the week he/ she works	38%	27%
Allows him/her to work term time only	6%	9%
Allows him/her to work from home	42%	45%
No need for childcare	50%	36%
Night shifts	-	-
He/she could not get work as an employee with the same flexibility	21%	9%
Other	4%	-
no comment	4%	-
Base =	48	11

Table 10.21. Child-friendly working practices available at place of work (as a proportion of those who are working, multiple responses possible)

	Respondent	Partner
Part-time working	57%	25%
Paternity leave	33%	37%
Flexi time	26%	16%
Job sharing	23%	9%
Paid time off when children ill	21%	10%
Longer maternity leave than the statutory	11%	4%
Career breaks	10%	5%
Work from home	7%	4%
More maternity pay than the statutory	7%	4%
Adoption leave	6%	4%
Term time working	4%	1%
Before and after school care during term time	1%	0%
A workplace nursery or creche	1%	1%
School holiday play schemes	1%	0%
Employer covers full cost of childcare	1%	1%
Employer covers part of cost of childcare	1%	1%
A subsidised nursery or creche nearby	1%	0%
Don't know	18%	42%
Base =	921	895

Table 10.22. Ethnic background

	Respondent	Partner
White	97%	97%
Black Caribbean	0.3%	0.2%
Black African	0.1%	0.3%
Black Other	0.1%	0.1%
Indian	0.2%	0.1%
Pakistani	1%	1%
Chinese	0.1%	0.1%
Mixed race	0.2%	0.4%
Other	1%	1%
Total	100%	100%
Base =	1304	991

Table 10.23. Is English your first or main language?

	Respondent	Partner	Selected child
Yes, English is my first or main language	97%	96%	98%
No another language is first or main language	3%	3%	2%
Bilingual	1%	1%	0.1%
Total	100%	100%	100%
Base =	1304	991	1304

Table 10.24. Do you have any long-standing illness, disability or infirmity?

	Respondent	Partner
Yes	7%	5%
No	93%	94%
Did not say	0.2%	0.3%
Total	100%	100%
Base =	1304	991

Table 10.25. Does this illness or disability limit your daily activities in any way? (as a proportion of those who have a long-standing illness, disability or infirmity?

	Respondent	Partner
Yes, always	45%	33%
Yes, sometimes	35%	43%
No	16%	24%
Did not answer	3%	-
Total	100%	100%
Base =	91	54

Table 10.26. Educational Qualifications - highest level attained

	Respondent	Partner
School leaving certificate/ new National Qualification Acces	7%	6%
O Grade/ Standard Grade/ GCSE/ CSE/ Senior Certificate or eq	22%	20%
GSVQ Foundation or Intermediate/ SVQ level 1 or 2/ SCOTVEC m	4%	3%
Higher Grade/ Higher Still/ CSYS/ A level, Advance Senior Ce	13%	10%
GSVQ Advanced/ SVQ level 3/ ONC/ OND/ SCOTVEC National Diplo	6%	4%
City and Guilds	3%	7%
HNC/ HND/ SVQ Levels 4 or 5 or equivalent	11%	8%
First Degree/ Higher degree	16%	21%
Professional qualifications	7%	7%
None of these	10%	13%
Total	100%	100%
Base =	1304	991

Table 10.27. Apart from child is there anyone like this who depends on you to provide regular care for him or her?

Yes	7%
No	93%
Total	100%

Base = 1304

Table 10.28. Do you hold a licence to drive a car or motorcycle?

Yes	78%
No	22%
Total	100%

Base = 1304

Table 10.29. Is there a car, van or motorcycle normally available for you to use? (as a proportion of those who hold a licence to drive a car or motorcycle)

Yes	95%
No	5%
Total	100%

Base = 1017

Table 10.30. Which of the following do you receive? (multiple responses possible)

Working tax credit	29%
Child tax credit	55%
Job seekers allowance	1%
Housing benefit	11%
Child benefit	96%
Incapacity benefit	3%
Disability living allowance	5%
Invalid care allowance	1%
Attendance allowance	0.2%
Other	7%

Base = 1304

Table 10.31. Annual Household Income (including benefits, before tax)

Under £4,500	0.5%
£4,500 - £6,499	2%
£6,500 - £7,499	2%
£7,500 - £9,499	2%
£9,500 - £11,499	3%
£11,500 - £13,499	2%
£13,500 - £15,499	4%
£15,500 - £17,499	3%
£17,500 - £24,999	7%
£25,000 - £29,999	9%
£30,000 - £39,999	10%
£40,000 - £49,999	7%
£50,000 - £74,999	5%
£75,000 - £99,999	0.5%
£100,000 or over	0.5%
Don't know / did not answer / refused	41%
No income	0.3%
Total	100%

Base = 1304

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Research

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Parents' Access to and Demand for Childcare Survey 2006: Final Report

ANNEX 2: 2006 QUANTITATIVE SURVEY RESULTS