Towards universal early years provision : analysis of take-up by disadvantaged families from recent annual childcare surveys

The findings of this study suggest that lack of awareness of the entitlement to free early years provision and a low level of information about local options for nursery education and childcare were important factors affecting take-up of early years provision by disadvantaged families. In addition, the way the entitlement to free early years provision is delivered through a range of providers appeared to have an impact on its uptake by the disadvantaged families

Families Experiencing Multiple Disadvantage: their use of and views on childcare provision

This research aims to fill a gap in the evidence base by exploring the relationship between families experience of multiple disadvantage and childcare. We know that disadvantaged families are less likely to use formal childcare; however, less research has been conducted on childcare use by multiply disadvantaged families. The research is based on further analysis of the 2008 Childcare and Early Years Survey of Parents, which was published by the Department for Children Schools and Families in July 2009. The study uses a specially devised index of multiple disadvantage to explore childcare use, parents views on local childcare provision, and how childcare and other issues influence maternal employment decisions, from the point of view of families experiencing multiple disadvantage