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SECTION ONE - CURRENT USAGE AND NON-USAGE OF CHILDCARE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Section One seeks to establish the current levels of use (or non-usage) of childcare, by parents of children aged 0-14 years, in terms of the types and quantities of provision that are used. It focuses on parents use of childcare in a typical week, exploring the type of provision used, covering both formal and informal childcare and the number of hours per week that childcare is used. The section concludes with an analysis of the use/uptake of pre-school education.
DEMOGRAPHICS OF THE SAMPLE
1.2 Full details of the demographics of our sample for the quantitative study is supplied in Annex 2.
1.3 In virtually all cases (98%), the respondent was the natural parent of the child. Nearly four in five (79%) of the respondents were female and nearly all (97%) were white, although the sample did contain small numbers of respondents from most of the other main ethnic groups. In two-thirds of cases (67%), the respondent was married, with a further 9% co-habiting in a relationship. The remaining 24% were single parents.
1.4 The respondent had the most responsibility for the child in 39% of cases, whereas 55% said that they shared responsibility equally with their partner.
1.5 Most respondents were in work, either full-time (30%) or part-time (41%), but a large minority (20%) were looking after the home/family. Most (78%) of respondents' partners were working full-time. Of those respondents in work, 30% stated that they had reduced their working hours to provide childcare.
TYPE AND NATURE OF CHILDCARE USED
Provision in a Typical Week
1.6 In order to explore demand drivers and reasons for both using and not using childcare, the 2006 quantitative survey covered both those who currently use and those who do not use childcare. Overall, 58% of those interviewed said that they do not use childcare in a typical week. Analysing the responses of those who do not use childcare is particularly important when exploring barriers to the use of childcare and to potential labour market participation, as well as potentially unmet demand for formal childcare. The detailed analysis of these issues can be found throughout Sections Two to Six.
1.7 For the remaining 42% of respondents who said that they do use childcare in a typical week, a distinction is made between formal and informal childcare 8. A number of parents will use a mixture of formal and informal and this will be explored later in this chapter. Some parents will have included pre-school education in their consideration of childcare provision because many parents view it in this way. In particular, where this is embedded in a whole day's childcare provision with a single provider, it is likely that parents will not be able to distinguish between pre-school education and childcare
1.8 When asked to only identify the main type of provision, the most common type of provision used was informal care provided by a family member (35%), followed by formal nursery provision (25%). Of those whose main provider is a family member, by far the most common provider was the child's grandparent(s), accounting for 89% of provision of this type. A full breakdown of responses (excluding those who stated that they do not use childcare in a typical week) is included in Figure 1.1.
1.9 It is not possible to directly compare the profile of respondents to the 2006/07 survey using childcare in a typical week with the results from the 2003/04 survey because the surveys used different sample sources and methods. More information on the comparison between the 2003/04 survey and the 2006/07 survey is provided in Annex 1.
Figure 1.1 - Main type of childcare provision in a typical week
Source: 2006 Quantitative Survey
Base: 547 (those using childcare in a typical week).
Type of provider
1.10 Of those using childcare in a typical week, as noted above, the largest single proportion (38%) are using an informal provider (family, friend or neighbour). Around a third (32%) use a public provider and just over a quarter (27%) use private provision. This breakdown is shown in Figure 1.2.
1.11 These responses measure the perception of parents, and cannot provide an objective measure of who runs and finances these childcare providers. 'Partner provision', where private or voluntary providers supply childcare on behalf of the local authority, will blur the line between the different types of provision. The Scottish Executive collects information from childcare providers and this is approximately equivalent to the survey findings presented below.
Figure 1.2 - Nature of main provision in a typical week
Source: 2006 Quantitative Survey
Base: 547 (those using childcare in a typical week).
All Childcare Provision Used
1.12 Of those parents who do not use childcare in a typical week, some make occasional use of childcare provision. Overall, 49% of parents either use childcare in a typical week or use childcare occasionally. Parents of younger children (under 6 years old) are most likely to use some form of childcare at some point, with parents of children over 10 years old less likely to make any use of childcare. Table 1.1 shows the main provider used by all parents who use childcare (either in a typical week or occasionally) and the proportion of the sample who stated that they do not use childcare at all.
1.13 Some respondents may be using infrequent informal childcare but have stated that they do not use childcare - this is because the definition of childcare used in this study is broad (ranging from occasional provision from the child's grandparents or a non-resident parent to formal regular provision from a childminder or nursery). For this reason, the proportion of respondents who do not use childcare at all may be lower than these figures suggest.
Table 1.1 - Main type of childcare provision (typical and infrequent use)
Age of Child | Type of Provision |
|---|
Do not use childcare at all | Formal main provider | Informal main provider |
|---|
Nursery | Child-minder | Playgroup | Other 9 | A family member | A friend/neighbour |
|---|
0 to 3 | 32% | 33% | 12% | 4% | 3% | 16% | 1% |
|---|
4 to 5 | 32% | 24% | 10% | 1% | 15% | 17% | 2% |
|---|
6 to 10 | 51% | 0% | 4% | 1% | 13% | 29% | 4% |
|---|
11 to 14 | 74% | 0% | 2% | 0% | 4% | 18% | 2% |
|---|
All Ages | 51% | 11% | 6% | 1% | 8% | 21% | 2% |
|---|
Base: 1304 (all respondents)
1.14 Just under a third of parents of children under 4 years do not use childcare at all. This is comparable to the findings of Growing Up in Scotland ( GUS) 10 where 35% of the sample (one group of parents of children aged 10 months and another group of parents of children aged 34 months) do not use childcare. Comparing the baby and toddler findings also provides a reassuring check of both surveys (see Table 1.2). The variation in the baby group may be accounted for by the fact that parents of children under 6 months (which are not included in the GUS sample but are included in this survey) are perhaps less likely to use childcare due to a combination of factors including parental preferences; maternity leave allowances; and nursery restrictions.
Table 1.2 - Comparison of proportion of parents who do not use childcare, 2006 PADCS Quantitative Survey and Growing Up in Scotland Sweep 1
| Babies | Toddlers |
|---|
Aged under 2 years | 10 months | Aged 2 to 3 years | 34 months |
|---|
2006 PADCS Quantitative Survey | 49% | | 23% | |
|---|
GUS | | 40% | | 24% |
|---|
Difference | 9% | 1% |
|---|
Bases:
2006 Quantitative Survey: Under 2 = 99; Age 2 to 3 years = 195. GUS: Baby = 4224 (unweighted); Toddler = 2289 (unweighted)
Note: PADCS had far lower base sizes in these categories than GUS, so the fact the findings are similar is reassuring but not conclusive.
HOURS OF USAGE
Main Provider
1.15 In terms of the number of hours parents use their main provider for in a typical week, around two-thirds are using between 6 and 20 hours a week of provision from a single main provider. Only 16% use more then 20 hours a week as detailed in Figure 1.3.
Figure 1.3 - Hours of provision from main provider in a typical week
Source: 2006 Quantitative Survey
Base = 533 (those who provided an answer to this question, who use childcare in a typical week and whose typical main provision does not vary)
Total Provision
1.16 After factoring in all other providers, a larger proportion of parents (about a quarter) say that they use more than 20 hours a week of childcare in a typical week. Information on total hours of provision (split by whether or not the child is at school) is shown in Figure 1.4.
Figure 1.4 - Hours of provision from all providers in a typical week
Source: 2006 Quantitative Survey
Base = 533 (those who provided an answer to this question, who use childcare in a typical week and whose typical main hours of provision do not vary. Where parents have indicated typical hours of provision from their main provider but have not stated hours of provision from other providers used, or have said it varies, it is assumed that provision outside main provider is zero in a typical week. This assumption has been used in 16 cases.) Of this base 247 are not at school and the remaining 286 are at school.
1.17 Regarding the amount of childcare accessed, it is interesting to note that few parents access sufficient childcare to provide cover for a full-time job. Parents of those not yet at school, unsurprisingly, access more hours of childcare in a typical week than parents of children who are at school. This suggests that parents of school-age children are accessing small amounts of wrap-around care - about two thirds access less than 11 hours a week.
1.18 The qualitative research helps to explore possible explanatory factors for the patterns of childcare usage that were found in the quantitative survey, for example, a common finding from the qualitative research was the strong views that many parents have on the role of parents in bringing up children. Many parents interviewed feel that a child should be with a parent (usually a mother) most of the time rather than with a childcare provider. While some of the parents consulted in the qualitative research actively chose to stay at home full-time with their children, it was clear that more parents feel this is desirable than actually do this, owing to financial considerations. Staying at home full-time appears to be more common in slightly older mothers who have perhaps already had careers and built up an element of financial security.
1.19 The qualitative research also revealed that many parents interviewed do not use any childcare provision or have difficulty with childcare, either because they do not have any family in the local area or because they do not have any family who could care for their children. In particular, these parents said they did not spend much time together as a couple or go out socially as they did not have family to babysit, and this was particularly common among parents who worked shifts, or were on lower incomes. It would appear to be the case that parents often rely on family for babysitting duties or when they require a few hours of childcare (apart from grandparents who are often the main childcare provider). The quantitative survey found that many parents do not use any childcare, other than extended family, and the qualitative interviews suggest that parents in this situation would not access childcare without the existence of family. This is most often due to the issue of trust, with some parents not being comfortable leaving their children with a non-family member. A small number of parents also thought cost was an issue as they would not be able to afford to go out for the evening if they had to pay a babysitter. Thus, the accessibility of family provision emerges as a key factor in childcare usage patterns.
PRE-SCHOOL EDUCATION
1.20 Three-quarters (75%) of children in this survey aged 3-4 years, and not yet at school, receive pre-school education 11 and the most common provider of this type of childcare is a nursery (the case for 90% of those who receive pre-school education). Detailed information on pre-school education providers is shown in Figure 1.5.
Figure 1.5 - Provider of pre-school education
Source: 2006 Quantitative Survey
Base: 108 (only those who state their child receives pre-school education)
1.21 Almost all parents whose child receives pre-school education (94%) said that they had been able to secure provision from their first choice of provider and 87% said that they receive some free provision 12. This usually equates to 12.5 hours of a typical week and 52% of parents indicated that the number of hours of free pre-school education they receive was 12.5 hours per week. A third (33%) access fewer than 12.5 hours a week and the remaining 9% stated that they access more than 12.5 hours a week.
1.22 The qualitative research found that those parents with experience of pre-school education were generally very positive about this provision. It was seen as having many benefits for the children, and was felt to provide very good preparation for school by making children learn structure and discipline as well as advancing them so they can begin to learn to read and write. The number and variety of activities undertaken was also seen to be a good thing. Additionally, it was thought to make it less traumatic for both parents and children when children start school. In particular, nurseries attached to the school that the child will be attending were thought to be particularly advantageous, as the child can get to know the other children and teachers. As well as preparing children for school, parents commented that it provided their children with a good opportunity to socialise and develop their social skills.
1.23 The parents accessing pre-school education did suggest during the qualitative interviews certain improvements that would make provision more convenient. A common feeling among parents was that the local authority nurseries were too inflexible, as there was no option for the children to stay longer and there were reports of parents having experienced problems with the timeslots being too short. For those in paid work, this involves putting in place additional arrangements in order to get their children delivered and/or picked up from the nursery by existing childcare providers or family and friends. For those not in paid work, the short time slot was seen as not long enough to enable the parent to access any paid work during that period.
1.24 A further view expressed amongst working parents accessing pre-school education was that it would be preferable if, rather than two and a half hours each day, children could attend the nursery two and a half full days a week. As well as making it easier for the parents to work or to pursue other activities, it was also suggested that this might provide more structure for the child. However, this was not a universal view - it was noted by other parents that it might be difficult for young children to cope with such a structure.
1.25 Key findings in this section:
- 42% of parents interviewed use childcare in a typical week, rising to 49% when occasional use is also considered.
- The most common type of formal provider (for those using childcare on a regular basis) was a nursery (25%). The most common type of informal provider was a family member (35%).
- Just under half of respondents (43%) who have regular provision patterns use no more than 10 hours a week of childcare in a typical week, across all providers. Around two-thirds of parents typically use 6-20 hours per week of childcare.
- By far the most common providers of pre-school education are nurseries (56%) and nursery classes in schools (21%). The majority of parents accessing pre-school education are using it for the 12.5 hours of statutory free provision.
- Childcare use varies by the age range of the child with the highest levels of use for younger children, with this dropping off as children gets older, giving a relatively low average childcare use for the whole study.
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