COLLECTION METHODS
Jurisdictions collect and report data for the National ECEC Collection using either a Unit Record Level (URL) collection methodology or an Aggregate collection methodology, or sometimes a combination of both depending on the data collection abilities within certain sectors.
A URL data collection methodology collects child enrolment and attendance level data, corresponding to service provider record level data for each child in the data set. It also collects confidentialised worker record level data corresponding to service provider record level data.
An Aggregate data collection methodology collects totals of children enrolled in and attending preschool programs at the service provider record level only. Data collected at this level does not contain detailed child record level information. Worker level data was collected using a URL data collection methodology.
For further information on these concepts, including definitions for child, worker and service provider record level data, see Chapter 3, Concepts and Definitions.
The National ECEC Collection aims to report accurately on the number of children who have received a preschool program within the collection reference period. To achieve this, an important goal of the collection is to count each child once in the total number of children within each state and territory who are enrolled in and attending preschool programs. Given the complexity of the service delivery models for ECEC across Australia, it is a statistical challenge to ensure that children attending multiple preschool programs are only counted once in these total counts.
A URL collection with appropriate methodologies and protocols is the most appropriate method for ensuring a child who is enrolled in multiple preschool programs is only counted once in the estimates. Aggregate data collection methodologies are limited in their capacity to identify children attending multiple preschool programs. Consequently all data from jurisdictions with a collection process that produced Aggregate data for the 2011 National ECEC Collection could only be presented in terms of episodes of preschool program provision. See Chapter 3, Concepts and Definitions for further information on this concept.
The following table shows the collection methodologies adapted by each jurisdiction in 2011. Further information on each jurisdiction’s collection capabilities are outlined in Chapter 5, Jurisdictional Data Quality Statements.
2.2 JURISDICTIONAL DATA COLLECTION METHODOLOGIES, 2011
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| Jurisdiction | Collection Method |
|
| Australian Government | Unit Record Level |
 |
| New South Wales | Unit Record Level |
|
| Victoria | Unit Record Level |
|
| Queensland | Unit Record Level / Aggregate |
|
| South Australia | Unit Record Level(a) |
|
| Western Australia | Unit Record Level / Aggregate(b) |
|
| Tasmania | Unit Record Level |
|
| Northern Territory | Unit Record Level |
|
| Australian Capital Territory | Unit Record Level |
|
(a) SA collected all data from service providers using a Unit Record Level data collection methodology. However, not all data collected could be reported in compliance with the URL ECEC National Minimum Data Set so it has been reported at the Aggregate level.
(b) WA collected data from a small number of non-government schools using an Aggregate data collection methodology.
Jurisdictions that provided only Aggregate level ECEC data for 2011, or provided a combination of URL and Aggregate data, are working towards the collection of complete URL data for future cycles of the National ECEC Collection.
Those jurisdictions that were able to provide complete URL level ECEC data for 2011 are also working towards enhancing the information that they collect and/or provide to the ABS for the National ECEC Collection, where relevant, to improve child level estimates.
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