4240.0 - Preschool Education, Australia, 2015 
Quality Declaration
Quality Declaration ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 18/03/2016
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APPENDIX 3 - JURISDICTIONAL DATA QUALITY STATEMENTS
Data collection methods: The 2015 preschool program component of the CCMS collected data using a URL data collection methodology for the following statistical entities:
Initial CCMS data for the reference week was extracted around the end of September 2015. Additional data validation, integrity and cleaning checks were carried out prior to the submission of a final CCMS extract to the ABS around 2 months after the collection date. Accuracy CCB-approved services are required by A New Tax System (Family Assistance) Act 1999 (Cwlth) legislation, to submit certain records (weekly enrolments and attendance records etc.), for all children in attendance at the service. Records details, such child dates of birth and Reference Numbers as well as Service Client IDs, are checked and cross referenced. This ensures there can only be one current enrolment at a service for the same parent/guardian and child combination. This results in:
In 2015 the under-reporting of ECEP attendance in the CCMS was adjusted through information collected during a national phone survey with LDCs identified as likely to be providing an ECEP (but did not report these activities in CCMS). This resulted in a significant reduction in the number of services and children for whom imputation processes needed to be undertaken, and a significant increase in the number of LDCs that used the CCMS to report ECEP attendances. The collection of child URL data ensures duplications are minimised and the total child count is as robust as systematically possible. Deviations between the 2015 ECEC NMDS and CCMS data collected are outlined in the table below.
Counts of Children: It is possible for a child to be concurrently enrolled in, and attending, two or more ECEP and attend across years. In order to address National ECEC Collection requirements, it is important to be able to identify matched episode records for a child accurately, both within a collection cycle and between years.
Emails prompting LDC service providers to complete the preschool component of CCMS and outlining the definitions as per the ECEC NMDS were sent prior to, and during, the reference week. Accessibility Requirements within family assistance law limit the public accessibility to CCMS data for privacy and confidentiality reasons. De-identified aggregate data (which includes data sourced from the CCMS) is included in Preschool Education, Australia, 2015 (cat. no. 4240.0) on the ABS website. A selection of CCMS data is published quarterly and is available on the Australian Government MyChild website at www.mychild.gov.au. Information Source The information in this report has been sourced from the Australian Government Department of Education and Training in consultation with the ABS. Further information is available from the Australian Government Department of Education and Training website: http://education.gov.au/early-childhood. NEW SOUTH WALES In 2015, New South Wales (NSW) was responsible for two data collections in relation to preschool programs, both of which collected data using a Unit Record Level (URL) data collection methodology:
In January 2014, the NSW Government introduced a new preschool funding model. Although the nature of preschool program delivery in NSW has not directly changed, the new funding model targets funding to children enrolled in community preschools who are aged four years or over, plus three year olds from low income families or Aboriginal backgrounds (determined respectively by the presentation of an Australian Government Health Care Card bearing the child's name, or by the child's family self-identifying as being from an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander background). This is in contrast to the previous funding model under which preschools attracted funding for all children enrolled in community preschools. The new preschool funding model was introduced to better target funding to children and families who need it most, and to better align with the NSW Government's Universal Access objectives. Over time, it is expected to result in increased preschool participation of children in the year before full-time schooling. a] Government School Census Institutional Environment The organisation responsible for the Government School Census was NSW DoE. Data for the Government School Census were collected under the Children (Education and Care Services National Law Application) Act 2010 (NSW) and Education and Care Services National Regulations. Relevance The data collected by NSW DoE enabled reporting across the NSW government schools sector for a variety of reporting requirements, as well as to measure progress against Australian Government ECEC targets and Council of Australian Governments (COAG) reforms. Scope: The scope of the early childhood component of the Government School Census included all children aged 3 to 5 years old who were enrolled in a preschool program or an Early Intervention class at a government school in NSW. Children are eligible to enrol at a government preschool if they turn 4 on or before 31 July of that year. Priority is given to children from disadvantaged backgrounds who are unable to access other children's services, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and children from families who experience financial hardship. While the majority of children are aged 4 or 5, if there is spare capacity, places may be offered to 3 year olds. Children enrolled in an Early Intervention class at a NSW government school have been included in the Government School Census since 2012. Early intervention classes provide early childhood education in a preschool setting for children with a disability. Coverage: All government schools in NSW participated in the Government School Census. For the purposes of the National ECEC Collection, data were sourced from all government schools offering a preschool program, and therefore full coverage was achieved for the NSW Government sector. Data collection methods: The 2015 Government Schools Census collected data using a URL data collection methodology for the following statistical entities:
The Government School Census is an annual collection and in 2015 was undertaken on 7 August, with a two week reference period of 3 to 14 August. Completion of the data processing and validation stage took approximately 3 months after the collection date, at which time the data were delivered to the ABS. Accuracy All NSW DoE government school-based preschools were required to participate in the Government School Census by completing an online census form. There were three sections to the preschool component of the Government School Census:
NSW DoE ensured that all preschools submitted compulsory data. Preschools were notified about the data collection through the regular Principals' newsletter and reminder faxes. Detailed instructions on collecting and entering the data using the secure DoE Collections portal were available to preschools at all times during the survey period. The online census contained a number of validation rules to prevent inconsistencies and omissions. During the data collection period, preschool support workers could phone NSW DoE to clarify counting rules and data collection procedures. In addition, data anomaly reports were generated identifying problems such as incorrect age, low attendance or duplicate children. All anomalies were checked and data corrected if required. Signoff was required from all Principals whose school provided a preschool program. Coherence For the purposes of the National ECEC Collection, data collected through the 2015 Government School Census were comparable with data collected in 2014, as both collections were undertaken using a URL data collection methodology. Children enrolled in an Early Intervention class at a NSW government school were included in the Government School Census for the first time in 2012. An analysis of the coherence of this collection with other jurisdictional collections should be undertaken on an individual basis, taking into account any data elements that are not consistent with the ECEC NMDS specifications. Deviations between the 2015 ECEC NMDS and data collected from the Government Schools Census are outlined in the table below.
Counts of Children: It is possible for a child to be concurrently enrolled in and attending two or more preschool programs and attend preschool across years. In order to address collection requirements, it is important to be able to identify accurately matched episode records for a child both within a collection cycle and between years.
NSW DoE preschools were notified about the Government Schools Census through the regular Principals' newsletter and reminder faxes. Detailed instructions on collecting and entering data using the secure NSW DoE Collections portal were available to preschools at all times during the collection period. Accessibility Data sourced from the Government School Census for the 2015 Collection are published as part of Preschool Education, Australia, 2015 (cat. no. 4240.0) and Microdata: Preschool Education, Australia, 2015 (4240.0.55.003) on the ABS website. b] Early Childhood Education And Care (ECEC) Preschool Census Institutional Environment The organisation responsible for the Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) Preschool Census was NSW DoE. Data for the ECEC Preschool Census were collected under Service Specifications, which are contracts with each service provider outlining the terms of renewable funding under the Early Childhood Education and Care Grants Program. These preschools are regulated under the Education and Care Services National Law Act 2010 and the Education and Care Services National Regulations 2011. Relevance The data collected by NSW DoE were used for state government reporting commitments and to assist with the evaluation and planning of service provision. For preschools, the information obtained was used to determine funding for the following year. The data were also used for a variety of State and Commonwealth reporting requirements, as well as to measure progress against Commonwealth ECEC targets and COAG reforms. Scope: The scope of the ECEC Preschool Census included all children aged 0 to 6 years attending a preschool program regulated and funded by NSW DoE. Enrolment priority is given to children who are in their year before full-time schooling, children who are at risk of harm and children from disadvantaged backgrounds (i.e. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander status, language background other than English, children from low income families and children with a disability). Coverage: Participation in the ECEC Preschool Census was mandatory for NSW Government-funded preschools. The collection included NSW Government-funded (but not necessarily NSW Government-run) preschool services, including preschools operated by Catholic and Independent schools, preschools operated by local governments, and community-managed preschools. Preschool programs not funded by the NSW Government, including some preschools delivered in non-government schools, were not in scope of the collection. These services are not excluded from applying for NSW Government funding, provided that they meet eligibility criteria, consistent with the objectives of universal access. As and when any of these services do enter into a funding agreement with the NSW Government under the Early Childhood Education and Care Grants Program, they are thereafter required to participate in the ECEC Preschool Census. The majority of preschool programs in NSW are delivered by commercial LDCs that do not receive funding from NSW DoE. As a result, no data were collected from these services by the NSW Government as part of the ECEC Preschool Census. Data on commercial LDCs were collected by the Australian Government using the Child Care Management System (CCMS). Service providers that were registered for the Child Care Benefit (CCB) and Child Care Rebate (CCR) were requested to provide information in the ECEC Preschool Census only for children who did not receive the CCB or the CCR. Data collection methods: The 2015 ECEC Preschool Census collected data using a URL data collection methodology for the following statistical entities:
The ECEC Preschool Census is an annual collection and in 2015 was undertaken from 3 August to 30 August, with a reference period of 3 August to 14 August. This reference fortnight was adopted by NSW DoE to reflect the preschool delivery model in NSW. Data collected in the reference fortnight was then derived by NSW DoE to a one week reference period for data items expressed in units of time, e.g. preschool fees charged per week and hours worked per week in preschool program delivery. Completion of the data processing and validation stages took approximately three months after the collection date, at which time the data were delivered to the ABS. Accuracy In 2015, service providers completed the ECEC Preschool Census through the online ECEC Preschool Census data collection system. The ECEC Preschool Census data collection system allowed service providers to:
The online census contained a number of validation rules to flag potential inconsistencies and prevent omissions. All submitted data were cross-checked for consistency with service operational characteristics such as approved number of places and operating hours. Prior year data were also compared and, where large variations were apparent, service providers were contacted to confirm data accuracy. Additional data checks were introduced in 2015, based on a review of the 2014 collection process and ABS feedback. Data validation rules were coded into SQL procedures, and DoE maintained an anomalies database to track communications and the status of potential errors. Coherence For the purposes of the Collection, data collected through the 2015 ECEC Preschool Census were comparable to data collected in 2014, as both collections were undertaken using similar URL data collection methodologies. One exception was data on Indigenous status. In 2015 the collection method for this element was modified to reflect the standard ABS Indigenous question. In the previous years the Indigenous status of the child was not disaggregated below the level of 'Indigenous' and 'non-Indigenous'. Specific data elements collected using methods which did not align with the ECEC NMDS specifications are outlined below and should be taken into account when comparing data collected from each dataset. An analysis of the coherence of this collection with other jurisdictional collections should be undertaken on an individual basis, taking into account any data elements that are not consistent with the ECEC NMDS specifications. Deviations between the 2015 ECEC NMDS and data collected from the ECEC Preschool Census, are outlined in the below table.
Counts of Children: It is possible for a child to be concurrently enrolled in and attending two or more preschool programs and attend preschool across years. In order to address collection requirements, it is important to be able to identify matched episode records for a child both within a collection cycle and between years accurately.
NSW provided a range of information on the 2015 collection via email, an industry newsletter ('Early Childhood Extra') and the Bi-annual Preschool Census website at: http://www.dec.nsw.gov.au/what-we-offer/regulation-and-accreditation/early-childhood-education-care/funding/reporting/bi-annual-preschool-census. Detailed instructions on the process of data entry, including explanations and examples of concepts, were provided online and in the Preschool Census User Guide 2015. During the data collection period, service providers could also phone a dedicated 1300 phone number for assistance. Accessibility Data sourced from the ECEC Preschool Census for the 2015 Collection are published as part of Preschool Education, Australia, 2015 (cat. no. 4240.0) and Microdata: Preschool Education, Australia, 2015 (4240.0.55.003) on the ABS website. Information Source The information contained within this report has been sourced from the NSW DoE in consultation with the ABS. VICTORIA In 2015, Victoria was responsible for one data collection in relation to preschool programs, the 2015 Kindergarten Census. 2015 Kindergarten Census Institutional Environment The organisation responsible for the 2015 Kindergarten Census was the Victorian Department of Education and Training (DET). Data were collected in accordance with Funding and Service Agreement requirements. Relevance The 2015 Kindergarten Census was conducted to enable reporting of key data across the Victorian Early Childhood Education and Care sector, as well as to collect data to meet national reporting requirements. Scope: The scope of the 2015 Kindergarten Census included all children aged 3 to 6 years of age who were enrolled during the reference period in DET funded preschool programs for children in the year prior to school. The only data for 3 year olds are the children who are aged 3 years when they are attending the kindergarten program in the year before school. Coverage: Participation in the collection was mandatory for service providers with a current Funding and Service Agreement with DET, therefore full coverage of preschool programs delivered through these service providers was achieved. Funded services comprise the vast majority of kindergarten service providers in Victoria. A small number of Long Day Care (LDC) centres operating a preschool program were not funded by DET and as a result, no data were collected from these services. Data collection methods: The 2015 Kindergarten Census collected data using a Unit Record Level (URL) data collection methodology for the following statistical entities:
The 2015 Kindergarten Census reference period was 3 to 8 August. The collection commenced on 27 August and was conducted for approximately 4 weeks. Data processing and validation for the 2015 Kindergarten Census took approximately 3 months after the collection date. Accuracy Data was collected from services via DET's online Kindergarten Information Management (KIM) system. Services provided data for the 2015 Kindergarten Census through a workflow which included validation and completeness checks. Coherence Victoria has had a URL collection methodology in place since 2011, which means that data collected in 2015 is comparable with previous years to 2011. An analysis of the coherence of this collection with other jurisdictional collections should be undertaken on an individual basis, taking into account any data elements that are not consistent with the ECEC NMDS specifications. Deviations between the ECEC NMDS and data collected from the 2015 Kindergarten Census are outlined in the table below.
Counts of children: It is possible for a child to be concurrently enrolled in and attending two or more preschool programs and attend preschool across years. In order to address collection requirements, it is important to be able to identify matched episode records for a child, both within a collection cycle and between years accurately.
Extensive explanatory information was provided in DET's online KIM system and on the DET website. If service providers required clarification about the collection, they were also able to contact their regional office or the KIM helpdesk. DET provides information on funding criteria and data collection responsibilities in the publication 'The Kindergarten Guide 2015', which is available on the DET website http://www.education.vic.gov.au/childhood/providers/funding/Pages/kinderfundingcriteria.aspx. Accessibility Data sourced from the 2015 Kindergarten Census are published as part of Preschool Education, Australia, 2015 (cat. no. 4240.0) and Microdata: Preschool Education, Australia, 2015 (4240.0.55.003) on the ABS website. Information Source The information contained within this report has been sourced from DET Victoria in consultation with the ABS. QUEENSLAND In 2015, Queensland (Qld) conducted the annual Early Childhood Education and Care Services Census (ECECSC), which collected childcare enrolment data, workforce data, and preschool program and enrolment data using both Aggregate level and Unit Record Level (URL) data collection methodologies. Early Childhood Education And Care Services Census Institutional Environment The organisation responsible for the 2015 ECECSC is Qld Department of Education and Training (DET). Data for the 2015 ECECSC were collected under the Education and Care Services Act 2013 (Qld), the Education and Care Service National Law 2011 (Qld) and the Education (General Provisions) Act 2006 (Qld). Relevance Data collected from the ECECSC enabled Qld DET to report on a variety of matters, such as the performance of the early childhood education and care sector to the Qld and Australian Governments and the community. The data were used to provide evidence for policy and program development and planning and to monitor outcomes of early childhood initiatives such as the department's Workforce Action Plan and the implementation of the Education and Care Services National Law. Scope: The 2015 ECECSC included all children who were enrolled in a licensed or approved child care service or Pre-Prep program provided by a government school or through distance education. This included children that were enrolled in Long Day Care, Kindergarten, Pre-Prep in schools, Limited Hours Care, Family Day Care and School Aged Care Services at the time of the ECECSC. Only children aged 3 to 6 who were enrolled in a preschool program were considered in-scope for the Collection. However, data on 3 year olds is not likely to reflect the full 3 year old population in preschool. Data on 3 year olds were likely only collected if a 3 year old was enrolled and attending a kindergarten program specifically aimed at children in the year before full-time schooling (i.e. aimed at 4 and 5 year olds). However, it should be noted that Queensland has experienced a sharp increase in the number of 3 year old children enrolled in a preschool program. This is due to the new policy in place in 2015, which resulted in 3 year old children born in July being eligible for funding and therefore regarded as an "early enrolment into kindy". The scope for data collected on workers through the ECECSC included all staff, both paid and volunteer, engaged in approved or licensed child care services that consented to their information being provided. Only primary contact teachers were considered in-scope for the Collection. Coverage: The 2015 ECECSC achieved complete coverage of approved service providers in receipt of Qld Government funding. Data were also collected from unfunded providers, however their participation in the ECECSC was voluntary. Data collection methods: The 2015 ECECSC collected data for the following statistical entities: Funded approved programs (URL data collection methodology):
The ECECSC is an annual collection and in 2015 was undertaken in the week commencing 3 August 2015. For all service providers the reference period was 3 August to 9 August 2015. Completion of the data processing and validation stages occurred in the 2 months following the collection, at which time data were delivered to the ABS. Accuracy For the 2015 ECECSC, data were collected from service providers via an online survey tool. A limited number of services supplied information through paper-based forms that were equivalent to the on-line census. As part of the internal validation process for 2015, Qld DET included online guides as well as explanatory notes within the on-line census to assist service providers with definitions and responses. Edit checks were built into the online census, which ensured that valid data were supplied. Data supplied by service providers also underwent a range of validation and edit checks post enumeration to ensure that the information was complete, internally consistent and fell within fixed known parameters. An imputation process was undertaken by Qld DET for non-responses by funded services in 2015, incorporating historical and donor methodology. No adjustment for any known or predicted undercount was undertaken. Since 2012, Qld DET in collaboration with the Australian Government Department of Education and Training has implemented an imputation strategy to improve coverage and maximise the available child URL data. In 2015, this involved Qld and the Australian Government Department of Education matching service providers for Qld unfunded providers (i.e. Long Day Care centres). Qld DET then adjusted the aggregate collection data to exclude counts reported by the CCMS collection, ensuring no double-counting. Coherence Queensland data is comparable with other jurisdictions at both episode and child level. However, the use of aggregate data to supplement URLs may result in a slight over-count of episodes and children in Qld. Care should also be taken when interpreting episode/child data across years. An analysis of the coherence of this collection with other jurisdictional collections should be undertaken on an individual basis, taking into account any data elements that are not consistent with the ECEC NMDS specifications. There were no deviations between the 2015 data for Queensland and the 2015 ECEC NMDS. Counts of children: It is possible for a child to be concurrently enrolled in and attending two or more preschool programs and attend preschool across years. In order to address collection requirements, it is important to be able to identify accurately matched episode records for a child both within a collection cycle and between years.
Data sourced from the ECECSC for the 2015 Collection are published as part of Preschool Education, Australia, 2015 (cat. no. 4240.0) and Microdata: Preschool Education, Australia, 2015 (cat. no. 4240.0.55.003) on the ABS website. Data from the ECECSC are also published in sector fact sheets and various other forms on the Qld DET website http://deta.qld.gov.au/earlychildhood/news/sector-reports/census-factsheets.html. Accessibility Data sourced from the ECECSC for the 2015 Collection are published as part of Preschool Education, Australia, 2015 (cat. no. 4240.0) and Microdata: Preschool Education, Australia, 2015 (4240.0.55.003) on the ABS website. Data from the ECECSC are also published in sector fact sheets and various other forms on the Qld DET website http://deta.qld.gov.au/earlychildhood/service/factsheets.html. Information Source The information contained within this report has been sourced from Qld DET in consultation with the ABS. Further information is available at the Qld DET website http://deta.qld.gov.au. SOUTH AUSTRALIA In 2015, South Australia (SA) was responsible for one data collection in relation to preschool programs, the Annual Census of Children's Services (ACCS). Annual Census Of Children's Services Institutional Environment The organisation responsible for the ACCS is SA Department for Education and Child Development (DECD). Data for the ACCS were collected under the Education Act 1972 (SA) and the Education Regulations 1997 (SA). Relevance Information gathered by the ACCS included patterns of service usage and characteristics of children and families. The data were required by the SA Government for forward planning and the analysis of needs and gaps in current service provision. The data from this collection also enabled reporting across the SA early childhood education and care sector. Scope: The scope of the 2015 ACCS included children aged 3 to 5 years who were enrolled and attending (or expected to attend) a government managed or government funded preschool service (including integrated centres with a child care service), or a funded preschool program operating in non-government child care centres or schools. Out of scope were early childhood education services that receive no funding for their preschool program from DECD. Children who are of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander origin, and children under the guardianship of the Minister for Education and Child Development, are eligible under the DECD Preschool Enrolment Policy to commence a government managed or government funded preschool after their third birthday and are entitled to up to 480 hours of preschool in the two years before full-time school. These children have been included as in scope. Some funded preschool programs operating in non-government child care centres or schools also provide preschool to 3 year old children. DECD does not obligate these services to provide data for these children in the ACCS unless they are enrolled in a preschool program in their year before full time school and are receiving preschool funding from DECD for these children. Any data received for 3 year old children from these non-government services (regardless of whether they are in their year before full-time school) in the ACCS was submitted in the Collection. Coverage: In 2015, the ACCS achieved full coverage of all government managed and government funded preschools, including Independent and Catholic schools with funded preschool programs, and funded non-government child care centres with a preschool program. Unfunded Independent and Catholic school managed preschool providers and Long Day Care (LDC) centres with no DECD funded preschool program are not invited to participate in the ACCS. There are a relatively small percentage of South Australian children who have received a preschool program delivered by one of these unfunded services. Data collection methods: The 2015 ACCS collected URL data for the following statistical entities:
The ACCS is an annual collection and in 2015 was undertaken with a submission due date of 14 August 2015 and a reference period of 27 July to 7 August 2015. This reference fortnight was adopted by SA DECD to reflect the preschool delivery model in SA. Information collected during this reference fortnight was then derived by SA DECD to a one week reference period to enable comparison with other jurisdictions for the Collection. The data processing and validation stages took approximately 2 months after the collection date, at which time the data were delivered to the ABS. Accuracy In 2015, the ACCS collected data through the use of two systems, one for non-government preschool providers and the other for DECD preschools. The Early Years System (EYS) is a web-based preschool administration system used by DECD preschools in SA. Non-government preschool providers that are funded by DECD use the Non-Government Preschool Data System (NGPDS) to submit the data required for the ACCS. The NGPDS has been developed as a web-based preschool data reporting system that serves the dual purpose of collecting data requirements for grant funding administration as well as to satisfy State and National reporting obligations. Both the EYS and NGPDS have been developed with the capability of importing data from other administrative systems (eg. Child Care Management Systems) to provide the facility of reducing respondent burden and input error. Both the EYS and NGPDS have validation rules built in to ensure that services are submitting accurate data that is compliant with the 2015 ECEC NMDS. SA DECD collated data collected from both systems using a data repository known as the Early Childhood Data System or Data Administration Centre (DAC). The DAC allows for Data Management and Reporting staff to administer a data collection and to run checks and validations on the data received from service providers. The DAC also performs geographical coding on residential addresses of child records and sequential match coding for children enrolled in preschool across multiple services. Service provider details are stored and maintained in the Location Services System (LSS), from which data for the 2015 Collection were also obtained. Coherence For the purposes of the Collection, most data collected through the 2015 ACCS were comparable with 2014 data. Due to systems developments and subsequent data improvements, some data collected in 2014 and 2015 may not be comparable to 2013 data. Both years were undertaken using similar URL data collection methodologies. An analysis of the coherence of this collection with other jurisdictional collections should be undertaken on an individual basis, taking into account any data elements that are not consistent with the ECEC NMDS specifications. There were no deviations between the 2015 ECEC NMDS and data collected from the 2015 ACCS. Counts of children: It is possible for a child to be concurrently enrolled in and attending two or more preschool programs and attend preschool across years. In order to address collection requirements, it is important to be able to accurately identify matched episode records for a child, both within a collection cycle and between years.
SA provided a range of information to assist in the reporting of data, such as the 2015 ACCS Booklet and Coding Instructions. Key material was provided in the form of manuals and fact sheets to support the correct interpretation and explanation of concepts. The NGPDS is an intuitive system and user training has been provided via a webpage that contains user guides, video tutorials, and ACCS instructions. A dedicated EYS/NGPDS Support Team was in place to support users with technical issues or queries with either the EYS or NGPDS and the Data Management and Reporting team were available to respond to any data related questions. Accessibility Data sourced from the ACCS for the 2015 Collection are published as part of Preschool Education, Australia, 2015 (cat. no. 4240.0) and Microdata: Preschool Education, Australia, 2015 (cat. no. 4240.0.55.003) on the ABS website. Information Source The information contained within this report has been provided by SA DECD in consultation with the ABS. Further information is available on the SA DECD website <http://www.decd.sa.gov.au/>. WESTERN AUSTRALIA In 2015, Western Australia (WA) was responsible for one data collection in relation to preschool programs, the WA August School Census. WA August School Census Institutional Environment The organisation responsible for the School Census is the WA Department of Education (DoE). Data for the WA August School Census were collected under the School Education Act 1999 (WA). Relevance The data collected through the School Census were used to meet national reporting requirements, including the National Schools Statistics Collection (NSSC) and the National ECEC Collection. The data were also used to adjust school funding allocations where necessary and forward planning for the government and non-government school sectors. Scope: The scope of the early childhood component of the WA August School Census consisted of children who were attending a preschool program within a government or non-government school, including community based preschools operating under provisions of the School Education Act 1999. Coverage: Full coverage was achieved for all registered and funded schools (both government and non-government) and community-based preschools operating under provisions of the School Education Act 1999. As preschool programs provided in Long Day Care (LDC) settings are not funded or regulated by WA DoE, these service providers were not included in the WA August School Census. Data collection methods: The 2015 WA August School Census collected data for all government and non-government schools and community-based preschools for the following statistical entities:
The WA August School Census is an annual collection conducted in August. In 2015 the collection was undertaken on 7 August, and the reference period for all data was the week ending 7 August 2015. Data processing and validation took approximately ten weeks to complete after the collection date, at which time data were delivered to the ABS. Accuracy Child level data: Government and community preschools data were obtained through an administrative system, the INTEGRIS Student Information Database (SID) and a daily data harvesting process. The SID is the primary source of Unit Record Level (URL) data for public schools. The SID data were uploaded into the WA DoE online Student Census System where the data were checked, verified and endorsed as accurate by each school principal. For non-government schools, child URL data was extracted from school enrolment records at the census date. Non-government schools uploaded URL data using a comma separated values file to the WA DoE's online Student Census System. Following the validation checks detailed below, government, non-government and community preschool data collected through the WA August School Census were then stored in the Student Census System data warehouse, and extracted for the purposes of the Collection. Internal validation processes for the WA August School Census occurred at three different points of the process. The WA DoE online Student Census System had a series of in-built validation rules, some of which required the school to edit data before continuing, while other rules generated warnings alerting the user to anomalies. A second set of validation processes were run by the WA August School Census team, using both routine and ad-hoc validation methods to examine data while it was assembled into working files. The third set of validation rules were built into the custom software which loaded the census data into the Student Census System data warehouse. Coherence Most of the 2015 data are comparable with data collected in 2014. The exception is preschool hours enrolled data:
An analysis of the coherence of this collection with other jurisdictional collections should be undertaken on an individual basis, taking into account any data elements that are not consistent with the ECEC NMDS specifications. Deviations between the 2015 ECEC NMDS and data collected from the WA August Student Census are outlined in the table below.
Counts of children: In the collection reference period, it is possible for a child to be concurrently enrolled in and attending two or more preschool programs. The most prevalent circumstances of concurrent enrolment would be children who attended a school for their 15 hour preschool program, and also attended a long day care centre for before or after school hours care. In order to address collection requirements, it is important to be able to collate all matching child records.
For all schools, the collection instrument contained significant guidance and computation rules to prevent inconsistent responses in relation to prior data entries. WA DoE and non-government sector staff who assisted schools to complete the WA August School Census were trained to provide phone and email support through the WA DoE Customer Service Centre system. Accessibility Data sourced from the WA August School Census for the 2015 Collection are published as part of Preschool Education, Australia, 2015 (cat. no. 4240.0) and Microdata: Preschool Education, Australia, 2015 (cat. no. 4240.0.55.003) on the ABS website. Information Source The information contained within this report has been provided by WA DoE in consultation with the ABS. Further information is available on the WA DoE website http://www.education.wa.edu.au. TASMANIA In 2015, Tasmania (Tas.) was responsible for one data collection in relation to preschool programs, the Tasmanian 2015 ECEC Data Collection. Tasmanian 2015 ECEC Collection Institutional Environment The organisation responsible for the Tasmanian 2015 ECEC Data Collection was the Tasmanian Department of Education (DoE). Data for the Tasmanian 2015 ECEC Data Collection were collected under the Education Act 1994 (Tas.). Relevance The data collected by Tas. DoE in the Tasmanian 2015 ECEC Data Collection were used to report on Tasmanian achievements against performance targets, as well as progress against Australian Government ECEC targets and COAG reforms. For preschools, the information obtained was also used in determining the funding of services by the Tasmanian government. Scope: The scope of the early childhood component of the Tasmanian 2015 ECEC Data Collection consisted of all children enrolled in a preschool program in 2015. The 2015 Data Collection was managed in conjunction with the Tasmanian Catholic Education Office and Independent Schools Tasmania in order to completely cover preschool children at non-government schools accurately. Data for 3 year old children are included in the Tasmanian 2015 ECEC Data Collection if they were granted an exemption to start kindergarten before they turned 4 years old as at 1 January 2015. This exemption is granted if:
Data collection methods: The Tasmanian 2015 ECEC Data Collection was conducted using a Unit Record Level (URL) data collection methodology for the following statistical entities:
The Tasmanian 2015 ECEC Data Collection is an annual collection and in 2015 was undertaken on 7 August 2015, with a reference period of 27 July to 7 August 2015. This reference fortnight was adopted by Tas. DoE to reflect the preschool delivery model in Tasmania. This reference fortnight was then derived by Tas. DoE to a one week reference period to enable comparison with other jurisdictions for the Collection. Completion of the data processing and validation stage took approximately 2 months after the collection date, at which time data were delivered to the ABS. Accuracy Child level data: The process of obtaining and processing data in Tasmania commenced with government service providers uploading information from each child enrolment form into the Tas. DoE student management system 'EduPoint' which stored the information in a data warehouse. The data warehouse contains in-built data quality checks that provided timely data feedback to schools. Data from the warehouse were then used to populate the Tasmanian 2015 ECEC Data Collection. All teachers in Tasmania must be registered by the Teachers Registration Board of Tasmania. As a result of the registration process, some long-term teachers have teaching certification or relevant 3 year degrees. The registration process requires all long-term teachers to demonstrate, through teaching experience, that they meet the criteria for an equivalent 4 year degree standard. If a long-term teacher meets this criterion, the teachers are deemed to have a 4 year teaching qualification for registration purposes. The collection data were reviewed and cleaned by Tas. DoE staff. This process included numerous system quality checks such as confirming student ages, hours enrolled, and verifying duplicate enrolments across schools. A declaration stage is included in the data collection application, which each principal was required to review and declare that all data were true and correct. This set of students became the authoritative dataset for the census date. Preschool data were extracted from this census application to match with all other data collated for the Collection. Extensive quality assurance occurred for the attendance and teacher qualification data, to ensure that data were consistent with other Tas. DoE data sources. Some specific validation methods applied in the data collection application and by Tas. DoE included:
For the purposes of the National ECEC Collection, data collected through the Tasmanian 2015 ECEC Data Collection were comparable with data collected in 2013 and 2014, as all collections were undertaken using a consistent URL data collection methodology. An analysis of the coherence of this collection with other jurisdictional collections should be undertaken on an individual basis, taking into account any data elements that are not consistent with the ECEC NMDS specifications. Deviations between the 2015 ECEC NMDS and data collected from the Tasmanian 2015 ECEC Collection are outlined in the table below.
Counts of children: It is possible for a child to be concurrently enrolled in and attending two or more preschool programs and attend preschool across years. In order to address collection requirements, it is important to be able to identify matched episode records for a child, both within a collection cycle and between years accurately.
The rate of attendance of children in the reference period decreased substantially from previous collection years, due to widespread school closures from Monday 3 August to Wednesday 5 August 2015, as a result of low level and heavy snow falls. The school closures did not impact the data collection methodology, with the 2 week reference period remaining unchanged. Student enrolment hours did not decrease as a result of the school closures. Interpretability To support data custodians participating in the Tasmanian 2015 ECEC Data Collection, a guide was sent to service providers for the collection application to assist users with the data collection system. Accessibility Data sourced from the Tasmanian 2015 ECEC Data Collection for the 2015 National ECEC Collection are published as part of Preschool Education, Australia, 2015 (cat. no 4240.0) and Microdata: Preschool Education, Australia, 2015 (cat. no. 4240.0.55.003) on the ABS website. Information Source The information contained within this report has been sourced from Tas. DoE in consultation with the ABS. Further information is available at the Tas. DoE website <http://www.education.tas.gov.au>. NORTHERN TERRITORY In 2015, the Northern Territory (NT) was responsible for one data collection in relation to preschool services, the Age/Grade Census, which collected data using a Unit Record Level (URL) data collection methodology. The 2015 Age/Grade Census consisted of three components:
Age/Grade Census Institutional Environment The organisation responsible for the Age/Grade Census was the NT Department of Education (DoE). Data for the Age/Grade Census were collected under the Education Act (NT). Relevance Data collected from the Age/Grade Census enables reporting on NT schools and the early childhood education sector for a variety of reporting requirements. The preschool data collected from this census are used for the Supplementary Recurrent Assistance Enrolment Data Collection (staff data only), Early Childhood Education and Care National Minimum Data Set the Report on Government Services, as well as government budget paper estimates and the NT DoE annual report. Scope: The scope of the Age/Grade Census for the early childhood component consisted of all children enrolled in an early childhood education program and attended a government or registered non-government preschool at least once during the four week period (15 June - 7 August 2015). Additional preschool data is collected for the one week reference period (3 August - 7 August 2015). One very remote school in the NT operates on different school terms. Consequently, the reference period used for this school was 3 August - 14 August 2015. In the NT, children are eligible to enrol in preschool at the beginning of the year if they turn 4 years of age on or prior to 30 June of the same year. Indigenous children living in remote areas are eligible to enrol in preschool if they turn 3 years of age on or prior to 30 June of the same year. This is an important strategy to engage children in remote areas in early childhood education programs. Coverage: All government and registered non-government preschools participated in the Age/Grade Census, which collected data using a URL collection methodology. Although the data collection methodology utilised for non-government preschools differed from that applied to government preschools, the data collected were at the same level of detail and are comparable with data from government preschools. Long Day Care centres that deliver an early childhood education program were not within scope of the 2015 Age/Grade Census, therefore the Child Care Management System (CCMS) was utilised for coverage of this sector. Data collection methods: The 2015 Age/Grade Census collected data using a URL data collection methodology for the following statistical entities:
The 2015 Age/Grade Census is an annual collection undertaken on 7 August 2015. Information gathered for the early childhood component of the collection related to the reference period of 15 June to 14 August 2015 with the exception of one remote school which operates on different school terms. The reference period for this school was 1 June to 26 June 2015. Accuracy Child level data: In 2015, data extracts from the Age/Grade Census of child, teacher and service provider record level information were submitted from each government and some non-government schools' Student Administration and Management System (SAMS). Other non-government schools provided data via Excel spread sheets. Additional data were collected through an online survey tool for government schools. All data was processed centrally for inclusion in the census collection. It should be noted that seasonal attendance patterns for the NT show lowest attendance during August, this is partially due to sporting and community events and the transient lifestyle of remote and very remote populations. After data were processed by NT DoE, school principals were required to check the data, edit if necessary, and confirm accuracy. Business rules guided the processing of data. All three components of the Age/Grade Census required formal sign-off from school principals for the final data lodgement, stating it was a true and accurate representation of their school for the reference period. This ensured the quality and validity of the data being provided. Internal validation of the early childhood data was subsequently undertaken. Detailed validation processes used by NT DoE in 2015 were as follows:
For the purposes of the National ECEC Collection, data collected through the 2015 NT Age/Grade Census were comparable with data collected in 2014. Both collections were undertaken using a consistent URL data collection methodology. An analysis of the coherence of this collection with other jurisdictional collections should be undertaken on an individual basis, taking into account any data elements that are not consistent with the ECEC NMDS specifications. Deviations between the 2015 ECEC NMDS and data collected from the Age/Grade Census are outlined in the table below.
Counts of children: It is possible for a child to be concurrently enrolled in and attending two or more early childhood education programs and attend preschool across years. In order to address collection requirements, it is important to be able to identify matched episode records for a child, both within a collection cycle and between years accurately.
The NT provided a range of information to assist in the collection and reporting of data, such as manuals and fact sheets, to support correct interpretation and definition of concepts. Detailed reports and instructional papers on the requirements, processes and rules for submitting data through the Age/Grade Census were provided to service providers to assist with data provision. Accessibility Data sourced from the Age/Grade Census for the 2015 Collection are published as part of Preschool Education, Australia, 2015 (cat. no. 4240.0) and Microdata: Preschool Education, Australia, 2015 (cat. no. 4240.0.55.003) on the ABS website. Information Source The information contained within this report has been provided by NT DoE in consultation with the ABS. AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY - GOVERNMENT In 2015, data for the Australian Capital Territory was sourced from:
a] Canberra Public School Census for Early Childhood Education Data Collection Institutional Environment ACT Education and Training Directorate is responsible for the collection of early childhood data from Canberra Public Schools and Independent Schools. Relevance Data collected for the Early Childhood Education Data Collection contributed to a variety of reporting requirements and were used to ensure effective delivery of children's education services within the ACT public sector. Scope: The scope for the Early Childhood Education Data Collection includes all children between 4 and 6 years of age attending public school preschools. It is ACT policy that preschool is only provided to 4 and 5 year olds and this policy has been applied more strictly in 2015 than in previous years, resulting in no 3 year olds being included in the 2015 collection. Children enrolled in a preschool program at Jervis Bay School were included in the census as that school is administered by ACT ETD on behalf of the Australian Government. Children who were absent for more than 4 continuous school weeks prior to the census date were included if the principal received written documentation signed by the child's guardian indicating that the child would return to school. Coverage: Within the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), full collection coverage for 2015 was achieved for all ACT Government managed schools and Catholic schools delivering a preschool program through the Canberra Public School Census and the ACT Catholic Preschool Collection. Independent schools also reported to the ACT Education and Training Directorate separately. Data collection methods: The 2015 early childhood education data was collected using a URL data collection methodology for the following statistical entities:
In August each year, the Directorate conducts a census of public school enrolments. The 2015 Canberra Public School Census was conducted on Friday 7 August 2015. The reference period of 27 July to 7 August 2015 was adopted by ACT ETD to reflect the preschool delivery model in ACT for the collection staffing and absence data from the Canberra public preschools. The reference fortnight was then derived by ACT ETD to a one week reference period to enable comparison with other jurisdictions for the National ECEC Collection. Completion of data processing and validation stages took approximately 3 months from the collection date, at which time the data were delivered to the ABS. Accuracy Child level data: In 2015, data were obtained from a point in time sweep of enrolment and attendance data stored in the public school administration system. Individual child information was captured from data supplied via an enrolment form which was entered into MAZE by school staff. Each ACT public school had access to their own MAZE database, where teachers or administrators uploaded information on each child enrolment. The principal of each school was required to sign off on their school's total enrolment count by sex and year level. Any inconsistencies were followed up. Every school's MAZE system was linked to a central database, which could only be accessed by central office staff. At census time, child enrolment information was extracted from the central database and cross checked with schools. Key approaches undertaken by the ACT to manage the quality of its data processing for 2015 are as follows:
Coherence Data collected through the 2015 early childhood components of the Canberra Public School Census were comparable with data collected in 2014, as both collections were undertaken using a consistent URL data collection methodology. An analysis of the coherence of this collection with other jurisdictional collections should be undertaken on an individual basis, taking into account any data elements that are not consistent with the ECEC NMDS specifications. Counts of children: It is possible for a child to be concurrently enrolled in and attending two or more preschool programs and attend preschool across years. In order to address collection requirements, it is important to be able to identify accurately matched episode records for a child both within a collection cycle and between years.
In 2015, the ACT ETD provided face-to-face staff training in the MAZE system, supported with a handbook which outlined how to enter data, extract data, find data and validate data. Accessibility Data sourced from the Canberra Public School Census for the 2015 Collection are published as part of Preschool Education, Australia, 2015 (cat. no. 4240.0) and Microdata: Preschool Education, Australia, 2015 (cat. no. 4240.0.55.003) on the ABS website. Data are also made available on the ACT ETD website: <http://www.det.act.gov.au/publications_and_policies/publications_a-z/census>. Information Source The information contained within this report has been provided by ACT ETD in consultation with the ABS. Further information is available from the ACT ETD website: <http://www.det.act.gov.au>. b] ACT Independent Preschool Collection Institutional Environment The organisation responsible for the ACT Independent Preschool Collection was the ACT Education and Training Directorate in collaboration with the Association of Independent Schools of the ACT. Data for the 2015 census were collected under the Education Act 2004 (ACT), the Children and Young People Act 2008 (ACT), and the ACT Childcare Services Standards 2009. Relevance Scope: The scope of the early childhood education component of the ACT Independent Preschool Collection included all children attending a preschool program in an Independent school. It is ACT policy that preschool is only provided to 4 and 5 year olds and this policy has been applied more strictly this year than in previous years resulting in very low counts for 3 and 6 year olds. Children who were absent for more than 4 continuous school weeks prior to the census date were included if the principal received written documentation signed by the child's guardian indicating that the child would return to school. The scope for data provided on workers included all paid primary contact teachers that delivered a preschool program and other contact and administrative school staff employed during the reference period at Independent schools in ACT. Coverage: The 2015 ACT Independent Preschool Collection included the primary Independent schools delivering a preschool program. Data collection methods: The 2015 ACT Independent Preschool Collection used a URL data collection methodology for the following statistical entities:
The ACT Independent Preschool Collection is an annual collection with a reference period of 27 July to 7 August 2015. Fortnightly data were converted to a one week reference period to enable valid and reliable national comparisons. Accuracy Child level data: In 2015, the ACT Education and Training Directorate carried out validation of 2015 data from each Independent school delivering a preschool program. Service Provider level data: Service provider information for Independent preschools in the ACT was provided by each of the Independent Schools. Coherence This is the third year the data for ACT Independent preschools has been included in the National ECEC Collection. The data has been collected on a comparable basis to 2014. Counts of children: It is possible for a child to be concurrently enrolled in and attending two or more preschool programs and attend preschool across years. In order to address collection requirements, it is important to be able to identify accurately matched episode records for a child both within a collection cycle and between years.
In 2015, the data was collected by the Education and Training Directorate directly from the Independent schools in collaboration with the Association of Independent Schools of the ACT. The Directorate liaised closely with the Director of the Association of Independent Schools of the ACT and the best contact person of each school to verify details. The ACT Education and Training Directorate then worked with each participating Independent school to collect the data. Accessibility Data sourced from the ACT Independent Preschool Collection for the 2015 National ECEC Collection are published as part of Preschool Education, Australia, 2015 (cat. no. 4240.0) and Microdata: Preschool Education, Australia, 2015 (cat. no. 4240.0.55.003) on the ABS website. Information Source The ACT Education and Training Directorate collected information contained in this report directly from Independent schools in consultation and collaboration with the Association of Independent Schools of the ACT. AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY - CATHOLIC Institutional Environment The organisation responsible for the ACT Catholic Preschool Collection was Catholic Education, Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn, ACT (Catholic Education). Data for the 2015 census were collected under the Education Act 2004 (ACT), the Children and Young People Act 2008 (ACT), and the ACT Childcare Services Standards 2009. Relevance Scope: The scope of the early childhood education component of the ACT Catholic Preschool Collection included all children between 4 and 5 years of age attending a preschool program in a Catholic school. Children who were absent for more than 4 continuous school weeks prior to the census date were included if the principal received written documentation signed by the child's guardian indicating that the child would return to school. The scope for data provided on workers included all paid primary workers employed during the reference period at Catholic schools in ACT. Coverage: The 2015 ACT Catholic Preschool Collection included all primary Catholic schools delivering a preschool program or programs. Data collection methods: The 2015 ACT Catholic Preschool Collection used a URL data collection methodology for the following statistical entities:
The ACT Catholic Preschool Collection is an annual collection and in 2015 was undertaken on 1 August 2015, with a reference period of 28 July to 8 August 2015. Fortnightly data were converted to a one week reference period to enable valid and reliable national comparisons. Accuracy Child level data: In 2015, data were obtained from a point in time sweep of enrolment and attendance data stored in the ACT Catholic School administration system (known as 'MAZE'). Catholic Education carried out validation of 2015 data using data from the MAZE administrative system and through consultation with Catholic Education personnel and service providers. Data from each Catholic school delivering a preschool was assessed by Catholic Education. Service provider level data: The process of obtaining service provider information from Catholic preschools in the ACT was managed through the MAZE administrative system, and verified by service provider Directors. Coherence The 2015 Collection was the fourth time Catholic preschool data were included. An analysis of the coherence of this collection with other jurisdictional collections should be undertaken on an individual basis. Counts of children: It is possible for a child to be concurrently enrolled in and attending two or more preschool programs and attend preschool across years. In order to address collection requirements, it is important to be able to identify accurately matched episode records for a child both within a collection cycle and between years.
In 2015, the majority of data were collected by MAZE sweeps and Human Resources Employment extracts, cross-checked with personnel at Catholic Education and Centres. Catholic Education liaised closely with the Director of each centre to verify details. Accessibility Data sourced from the ACT Catholic Preschool Collection for the 2015 Collection are published as part of Preschool Education, Australia, 2015 (cat. no. 4240.0) and Microdata: Preschool Education, Australia, 2015 (cat. no. 4240.0.55.003) on the ABS website. Information Source The information contained within this report has been provided by the ACT ETD and the Catholic Education Office in consultation with the ABS. Further information is available from the ACT ETD website: <http://www.det.act.gov.au>. ENDNOTES 1. https://www.dss.gov.au/our-responsibilities/families-and-children/publications-articles/2013-national-early-childhood-education-and-care-workforce-census-report 2. Under regulations 130 to 134 of the National Regulations Document Selection These documents will be presented in a new window.
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