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 high quality and detailed ECEC information on an annual basis. Other ABS publications which may be of interest to users of Experimental Estimates of Preschool Education, Australia, 2011 are also listed.
ABS PRODUCTS
ABS products that present information related to early childhood education statistics include the National Schools Statistics Collection (NSSC), the Childhood Education and Care Survey (CEaCS), and data from the Census of Population and Housing.
The National Schools Statistics Collection
The NSSC is an annual collection which collects statistics for schools, students and staff involved in the provision, or administration, of primary and secondary education, in government and non-government schools, for all Australian states and territories.
Data from the NSSC is presented in Schools, Australia (cat. no. 4221.0).
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. CEaCS was developed from the CCS in 2008 and is conducted every three years as a supplement to the monthly Labour Force Survey.
CEaCS collects data on the types of care usually attended by children less than 13 years of age, the hours of care, use, cost, and demand for care. Information about the employment, educational attainment and income characteristics of parents is also collected. In 2011, 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 the assessment of need 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.
Data from CEaCS is presented in Childhood Education and Care, Australia (cat. no. 4402.0) (formerly called Child Care, Australia (cat. no. 4402.0)).
The Census of Population and Housing
The Census of Population and Housing provides limited ECEC information, such as data on unpaid child care and those 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.
NON-ABS PRODUCTS
Report on Government Services
The annual Report on Government Services (ROGS) is produced by the Productivity Commission (SCRGSP, 2011). 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 expenditure, enrolment, 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.