How are findings used?

The results of this survey are used by the Department for Education and other researchers to understand and analyse change in the childcare and early years sector.

Results will be published as Official Statistics which will be used by the Government and its agencies to inform decisions about childcare provision.

A report of findings will be published after each wave of the research. The anonymised dataset will be published on the Government’s online data archive and be made available, subject to DfE’s approval, to other researchers. We will treat the information you give us in the strictest confidence in line with the UK General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR). Any data collected is used for research purposes only. For more information on how your data will be handled see our privacy notice.

Where did you get my details from?

We obtained your contact details from the Ofsted Register or the schools census. If someone else at your setting would be better placed to complete the survey, please let us know by calling free on 0800 0147 352 or by emailing childcareproviders@iffresearch.com

How much time will it take?

The survey takes about 25 minutes to complete. You will also have been sent a preparation sheet to help you prepare for the questions asked in the survey. The preparation sheet is designed to make the survey easier and quicker to complete.

Some providers will have been sent a short, financial survey which only takes 10 minutes to complete. This is instead of the main survey (not additional to it).

Why am I being asked to take part (again)?

This survey is conducted annually. Each year, we ask around 60,000 providers to take part. We’ve chosen you at random to get a representative picture of childcare and early years providers across the country.

As selection is random, you may have also been selected in previous years, however this does not affect your participation in this year’s survey. Your participation in 2024 is highly valued.

What is the deadline for completing the survey?

30th June. We will send follow up communications to remind you to take part. If you are unable to complete the survey online, an IFF interviewer will call to complete the survey over the phone.

How do I complete the survey?

All providers that have been invited to take part in the survey will receive an email and letter invitation with a unique code. This code should be typed into the URL in your web browser. If you are unable to complete the survey online, an IFF interviewer will call to complete the survey over the phone.

Where can I find an example list of Early Years Qualifications?

You can find a list of example qualifications here.

I don’t have the weblink/URL or access code.

Please email IFF Research at childcareproviders@iffresearch.com or call us free on 0800 0147 352.

Who do I contact for more information?

For further information, or if you would prefer not to be contacted again about this research, please email IFF Research at childcareproviders@iffresearch.com or call us free on 0808 1699375. If you would like to contact DfE about this research, please email EY.analysisandresearch@education.gov.uk.