Sampling Frame Investigation Childcare and Early Years Parent Survey 2016-17

The project is an investigation into the suitability of using the Child Benefit Register (CBR) and viable alternative sampling frames for future planned Childcare and Early Years Parent Survey (CEYSP) surveys in the series, particularly the planned 2016-17 survey.

The aims of the research project are: • Investigate the suitability of the CBR for the 2016-17 CEYSP and future surveys, given the change in coverage of the CBR; • Investigate the suitability of alternative sampling frames for the 2016-17 CEYSP and future surveys; and • Make a recommendation as to which sampling frame will be most appropriate for the 2016-17 CEYSP and future surveys, accounting for the possibility that changes may be made to the specification of the CEYSP.

The objectives of the research project: • Review of existing relevant documentation on changes to CBR and other major social research surveys with similar sample requirements • Conduct desk research, and interview staff at organisations holding the CBR, to assess the CBR’s qualities as a sampling frame for the 2016-17 CEYSP and future surveys; • Identify potential alternative sampling frames, and conduct desk research and interview relevant staff, in order to assess their qualities as sampling frames for the CEYSP; • Carry out primary analyses on relevant publicly available and internally held datasets (including CEYSP data) to assess the suitability of the CBR and other sampling frames; • Produce recommendations on whether to use the CBR or a more suitable sampling frame to feed into a presentation to the Department for Education and a report of publishable standard.