RELATED PRODUCTS
The following section summarises related surveys and sources of ECEC data. Although there are other data sources on ECEC available, the National ECEC Collection aims to provide information annually, which supports the reporting requirements of the National Partnership Agreement on Early Childhood Education and Care.
ABS products
ABS products that present information related to early childhood education statistics include Childhood Education and Care, Australia (cat. no. 4402.0) (formerly called Child Care, Australia (cat. no. 4402.0)), and data from the Census of Population and Housing.
The Childhood Education and Care Survey
From 1969 to 2005 the ABS conducted 12 Child Care Surveys (CCS) and consequently has a rich time series available. The Childhood Education and Care Survey (CEaCS) was conducted throughout Australia in June 2008 as a supplement to the monthly Labour Force Survey. CEaCS was developed from the CCS.
The major aims of CCS were to provide information on the use of, and need for, child care and early childhood education for children aged under 13 years. Information was also collected on the use of the Child Care Benefit and the income, educational attainment and working arrangements of parents with children aged under 13 years. In 2008, CEaCS also collected data on the informal learning activities in which children may participate with parents or other people. CEaCS examines participation in early childhood education in both preschools and child care settings. The survey also allows assessment of needs for preschool programs and provides information on communication of learning outcomes to parents. This survey provides a timely picture of early childhood education, to inform debate and decision-making in this area.
CEaCS is a sample survey, which comes with sampling error as well as non-sampling error. It is also only carried out every four years. In contrast, the National ECEC Collection will allow an annual time series. The National ECEC Collection is an administrative collection and unlike surveys, does not have any sampling error. Data can be collected at the unit record level (URL), which allows analysis at a lower level geography and therefore assists in the reporting of classifications such as disadvantage status.
The Census of Population and Housing
The Census of Population and Housing provides limited ECEC information, such as data on unpaid child-care and attending an education institution (preschool). The Census also provides a snapshot of the social and cultural composition of Australian families and households, including language spoken at home, country of birth, ancestry and Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander status. The Census is carried out every five years, where as the National ECEC Collection will be conducted annually.
Non-ABS products
Report on Government Services
The annual Report on Government Services (ROGS), is produced by the Productivity Commission. The ROGS publishes data on the equity, efficiency and cost effectiveness of government services. The ROGS draws data together to provide key indicators of the performance of specified government agencies and programs in delivering services to Australians. The report is used for strategic budgeting, policy planning and evaluation. ROGS includes a range of data on the early childhood education sector including attendance, hours of attendance, staff qualifications, children with special needs and information on Indigenous preschool participation.
The ROGS only reports information on government-funded or government provided preschools. In contrast, the National ECEC Collection has a broader scope, including all non-government preschools.
Improving the quality of data on early childhood education
Further information on the limitations of existing early childhood data sources can be found in a report by McEwin and Ryan, called Improving the quality of data on early childhood education, 2008, available on the DEEWR website: <www.deewr.gov.au>.
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