KEY METHODOLOGICAL DIFFERENCES
For 2011, there were a number of jurisdictions that collected data using an Aggregate data collection methodology. This has resulted in data not being as comparable as it would be if the collection methods were aligned across jurisdictions and all were collecting data using a URL data collection methodology. For the 2011 Collection some jurisdictions were not able to provide the ABS with certain data elements, or only data elements that were not aligned with the national standards.
As a result, data limitations for the 2011 collection included:
- Under-coverage of preschool programs in some sectors, for example limited non-government coverage
- URL data not currently available for all jurisdictions, particularly for the non-government sector or unfunded preschools
- Children enrolled in multiple preschool programs are not identifiable within all jurisdictions
- Children enrolled in their second or subsequent year of preschool not identifiable within all jurisdictions
- Differences between data element collection methodologies and alignment to national data standards across jurisdictions.
Further information on methodological differences between jurisdictions and their alignment to the national standards can be found in
Chapter 5, Jurisdictional Data Quality Statements.