LINKING WITHIN-FILE
The first stage of the linking methodology was performed on each episode level file provided for the National ECEC Collection. To determine if multiple episodes belong to the same child, the following logic was applied to produce child level records within a file.
For multiple episodes identified as belonging to the same child based solely on their SLK:
SLK Match code is supplied:
If two episodes have the same SLK and the same SLK Match code, then they are considered as belonging to the same child. If the same SLK does not link on the SLK Match code, they are considered as being separate episodes. Linked records through ‘Linking within-file’ and SLK Match code methods may be considered matches (i.e. episode belonging to the child). This can occur where the SLK Match code has been supplied by a data provider with the application of a child/client database.
SLK Match code is not supplied:
If no SLK Match code is supplied, then a link on SLK and the child SA1 geography code is used to identify linking child records. If two episodes have the same SLK and both are located in the same child geographical statistical area, they are considered as belonging to the same child.
No SLK Match code and no SA1 supplied:
If no SLK Match code and no SA1 codes are supplied, then a link on SLK and Collection District (CD) code is used. If two episodes have the same SLK and the same CD, then they are considered as belonging to the same child. If they do not link, they are treated as separate episodes.
Figure 3.9: ‘Within file’ episode linking methodology
*All state and territory and CCMS data provided was provided with a SLK match code
To derive estimates of the ‘number of children’ enrolled in and attending preschool, a collection methodology is required to transform episodes of preschool to the child level data and to link records across files to estimates of unique children.
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