The DfE has published the findings of the Childcare and Early Years Survey of Parents 2017. Some of the key headlines include:
- Overall use of any childcare and formal childcare among families with children aged 0-14 is unchanged between 2014-15 and 2017.
- Just under three-quarters (71%) of parents of 3-4 year-olds were aware of the 30 hours policy at the time of interview (fieldwork was between January 2017 – August 2017).
- Parents expecting to use additional hours felt that 30 hours will make their child better prepared for school (74%) and make a difference to family finances (80%). Change in parent work hours due to expected use of 30 hours was most strongly anticipated among parents working part-time (among parents working part time, almost half (48%) said they would try to work more hours per week once their child used 30 hours).
- More mothers are in work in 2017 compared to 2014-15. Two thirds of mothers (68%) in 2017 reported that they were in work, a rise from 66% in 2014-15. Reliable childcare was identified by just under half (46%) of working mums as a factor helping them to go out to work.
- Looking at books and reading is the most frequent Home Learning Activity among parents of 0-5 year-olds (70% of parents reported that someone at home looks at books or reads to their 0-5 year-old at least once a day).
- One-third (34) of parents want to do more Home Learning with their child and this is appetite is greatest among working couple parents and working lone parents.
- The main factors that would help parents do more learning and play activities at home related to parents’ availability: having more free time to spend with their child (44%), working fewer hours (37%).