Cost of early learning and childcare provision in partner provider settings

Appendix A: Provider questionnaire

The survey was administered online. As such, it is difficult to replicate exactly in Word. However, the text below shows what questions providers were asked and includes descriptions of routing (where questions were only asked of certain sub-groups), text-fills (where the precise wording varied depending on respondent characteristics) and other relevant scripting information in blue.
(please refer to pdf for coloured text)

Introductory text

Who is doing this survey?

This survey is being carried out by Ipsos MORI Scotland, an independent research company, on behalf of the Scottish Government. It is being sent to private and not-for-profit partner childcare providers right across Scotland.

Why is it being carried out?

As you may know, the Scottish Government is planning to increase the number of hours of free Early Learning and Childcare ( ELC) that parents are entitled to. This survey will ensure the Scottish Government has a reliable and full understanding of the costs to providers of delivering early learning and childcare.

Why should I take part?

This survey is your chance to influence the Scottish Government on childcare provider costs. They will use the findings to plan in detail for the expansion of free hours to 1,140 hours and for the important role that partner providers will play in that.

The survey is important for you and for the future of early learning and childcare in Scotland. It is endorsed by National Day Nursery Association and Early Years Scotland.

What information do you need from me?

The questionnaire includes questions about your costs (the money you spend on things like staff, rent, bills etc.), your income, your capacity and occupancy, and the fees you charge parents.

You may find it helpful to have relevant information - e.g. annual accounts - to hand when you complete the survey.

If you need another person to complete parts of the survey or you need to come back into the questionnaire at a later time, this is fine - just exit and the survey will resume at the place you left it when you're ready. You can also move forwards and backwards through the survey using the 'Next' and 'Back' buttons.

Please note, this survey is about Early Learning and Childcare for children aged 5 and under who have not yet started school - we are not interested in before or after school care for school-aged children.

How will my answers be used?

Individual responses will be completely confidential and will not be seen by anybody outside of Ipsos MORI. Only aggregate results - e.g. at regional level - will be provided to Scottish Government or published. All your data will be securely stored by Ipsos MORI in accordance with the Data Protection Act and destroyed after this project is completed.

Where can I go for more information?

If you have any questions now or while you're completing the questionnaire, please contact Ipsos MORI Scotland on 0808 238 5376 and we will be happy to help.

QX1.

This questionnaire is for <ServiceName>. Our sample indicates that <ServiceName> is part of a group of nurseries. You will be sent a link to this survey for each nursery in that group. However, if it is easier and you are able to provide costs, income and occupancy data for all your nurseries together, you can fill this survey in once for the whole group.

Please could you confirm if you are filling in this questionnaire for <ServiceName> only, or for a group of nurseries including <ServiceName>?

<ServiceName> only

A group of nurseries, including <ServiceName>

QX2

OE

ASK IF 2 (GROUP OF NURSERIES) AT QX1

Please can you confirm which nurseries you are answering this survey on behalf of?

QX3

ALLOW 2 DIGIT NUMERIC RESPONSE, RANGE 2 TO 99

ASK IF 2 (GROUP OF NURSERIES) AT QX1

Please indicate how many nurseries you are answering this survey on behalf of?

QX4

TO APPEAR IF 2 (GROUP OF NURSERIES) AT QX1

Please note that although the remainder of this survey will ask about <ServiceName>, you should give your responses for the whole group of nurseries you have listed.

SECTION A - OPENING HOURS

SECTION A INTRO

The first set of questions are about your opening hours.

QA1

ASK ALL

ALLOW 1 DIGIT RESPONSE BETWEEN 1 AND 7.

SOFT RANGE CHECK IF RESPONSE IS NOT 5 - 'Can you just confirm you are open for <number entered at QA1> days each week? If yes, click on NEXT'.

How many days is <ServiceName> open for Early Learning and Childcare each week?

Don't know

QA2

ASK ALL

ALLOW 2 DIGIT WRITE IN NUMBERS BETWEEN 1 AND 51.

SOFT RANGE CHECK IF >12 - 'Can you just confirm you are CLOSED for <number at QA2> weeks a year? If yes, click on NEXT'.

How many weeks of the year is <ServiceName> CLOSED for Early Learning and Childcare?

(If you are closed for less than 1 full week each year, please enter 1).

Don't know

QA3

SA

ASK ALL

Some providers only offer 600 hours a year (16 hours a week) of childcare. Others offer more hours than this. Which of the following best describes what hours you currently offer parents?

More than 600 hours a year

Only 600 hours a year (16 hours a week) during term time only

QA4

SA

ASK ALL

Thinking about all your Early Learning and Childcare places for children aged 5 and under, which of these best describes how you normally offer these to parents?

In either full day or half day sessions (or a mix of the two)
In full day sessions onlyIn half day sessions only
On an hourly basis with no standard sessions
Other specify

QA5

SA

ASK IF CODE 3 (half-day only) AT QA4

Do you offer morning sessions, afternoon sessions, or both?
Morning sessions only
Afternoon sessions
Both morning and afternoon sessions

QA6

SA

ASK IF MORE THAN 600 HOURS A YEAR AT QA3 AND 1-3 AT QA4

Leaving aside special arrangements for early or late drop-offs or pick-ups, do your standard session start and end times vary for children on Government or Council funded places and those on private places?

Yes - start and end times vary between Government/Council funded places and private places

No - standard start and end times do not vary between Government/Council funded places and private places

QA7

ALLOW 24 HOUR CLOCK RESPONSE FOR EACH LINE.

ALLOW (AND SHOW) 'Hours vary too much to answer' AS AN OPTION

ASK IF CODE 3 (half-day only) AT QA4, 3 (both morning and afternoon) AT QA5 AND 2 (standard times) AT QA6

SOFT RANGE CHECKS:

• IF START OF MORNING SESSION <07:00 OR >08:30
• IF END OF MORNING SESSION <11:30 OR >13:30
• IF START OF AFTERNOON SESSION <12:00 OR >14:00
• IF END OF AFTERNOON SESSION <15:00 OR >19:00

THEN PLEASE CHECK - 'You entered your session start and end times as: <SHOW START AND END TIMES FOR MORNING AND AFTERNOON>. Is that correct?' YES/NO - IF NO, LOOP BACK TO ENTER TIMES AGAIN.

Please enter your standard half-day session start and end times in 24 hour clock (i.e. 07:00 or 07.00).

By 'start time', we mean the time parents can normally drop their children off from, and by 'end time', we mean the time they are required to pick them up by.

Start of standard morning session
End of standard morning session
Start of standard afternoon session
End of standard afternoon session
Don't know

QA8

ALLOW 24 HOUR CLOCK RESPONSE FOR EACH LINE.

ALLOW (AND SHOW) 'Hours vary too much to answer' AS AN OPTION

ASK IF:

• CODE 1 OR 2 (FULL DAY ONLY, HALF OR FULL-DAY) AT QA4 AND 2 (standard times) AT QA6, OR
• CODE 4 OR 5 AT A4 (HOURLY/OTHER), OR
• CODE 2 AT A3 (600 HOURS/YEAR ONLY)

Please enter your standard opening and closing times in 24 hour clock (i.e. 07:00 or 07.00).

By 'opening time', we mean the time parents can normally drop their children off from, and by 'closing time', we mean the time they are required to pick them up by.

Standard opening time
Standard closing time
Don't know

QA9

ALLOW 24 HOUR CLOCK RESPONSE FOR EACH LINE.

ALLOW (AND SHOW) 'Hours vary too much to answer' AS AN OPTION

ASK IF CODE 3 (half-day) AT QA4, 1 OR 2 (MORNING OR AFTERNOON ONLY) AT QA5 AND 2 (standard times) AT QA6

Please enter your standard <morning/afternoon> session start and end times in 24 hour clock (i.e. 07:00 or 07.00).

By 'start time', we mean the time parents can normally drop their children off from, and by 'end time', we mean the time they are required to pick them up by.

Start of standard <morning/afternoon> session
End of standard <morning/afternoon> session
Don't know

QA10

ALLOW 24 HOUR CLOCK RESPONSE FOR EACH LINE.

ALLOW (AND SHOW) 'Hours vary too much to answer' AS AN OPTION

ASK IF:

• CODE 3 (half-day) AT QA4, AND 3 (both mornings and afternoons) AT QA5, AND 1 (session times vary) AT QA6, OR
• CODE 1 (full or half) AT QA4 AND 1 at QA6 (session times vary)

Please enter your standard half-day session start and end times for parents paying for private places, in 24 hour clock (i.e. 07:00 or 07.00).

By 'start time', we mean the time parents can normally drop their children off from, and by 'end time', we mean the time they are required to pick them up by.

If you do not have fixed 'standard times' for fee paying parents, please enter typical start and end times.

Start of standard morning session
End of standard morning session
Start of standard afternoon session
End of standard afternoon session
Don't know

QA11a

ALLOW 24 HOUR CLOCK RESPONSE FOR EACH LINE.

ALLOW (AND SHOW) 'Hours vary too much to answer' AS AN OPTION

ASK IF CODE 3 (half-day only) AT QA4, 1 OR 2 (MORNING OR AFTERNOON ONLY) AT QA5 AND 1 (session times vary) AT QA6

TEXTFILL <morning/afternoon> - IF 1 AT QA5 (Morning session only), TEXTFILL = 'morning', IF 2 AT QA5 (Afternoon session only), TEXTFILL = 'Afternoon'

Please enter your standard <morning/afternoon> session start and end times for parents paying for private places, using 24 hour clock (i.e. 07:00 or 07.00).

By 'start time', we mean the time parents can normally drop their children off from, and by 'end time', we mean the time they are required to pick them up by.

Start of standard <morning/afternoon> session
End of standard <morning/afternoon> session
Don't know

QA11b

ALLOW NUMERIC RESPONSE IN HOURS AND MINUTES

ALLOW (AND SHOW) 'No standard session length for Government/Council places' and 'Do not offer this kind of session for Government/Council funded places' AS OPTIONS

ASK IF

• CODE 3 (half-day) AT QA4, AND 1 (session times vary) AT QA6
• CODE 2 (full day only) AT QA4 AND 1 (session times vary) AT QA6
• CODE 1 (full or half) AT QA4 AND 1 (session times vary) AT QA6

Please enter your standard half and/or full-day session lengths for government or council funded places in hours and minutes.

If you do not have fixed session lengths for Government or Council funded places, please enter 'no standard session length.

Half-day session (Government/Council funded): NUMERIC RESPONSE IN HOURS AND MINUTES
Full-day session (Government/Council funded): NUMERIC RESPONSE IN HOURS AND MINUTES
Don't know

QA11c

ASK IF CODE 2 (full day only) AT QA4 AND 1 (session times vary) AT QA6

ALLOW 24 HOUR CLOCK RESPONSE FOR EACH LINE.

ALLOW (AND SHOW) 'Hours vary too much to answer' AS AN OPTION

And please enter your standard opening and closing times for private places in 24 hour clock (i.e. 07:00 or 07.00).

By 'opening time', we mean the time parents can normally drop their children off from, and by 'closing time', we mean the time they are required to pick them up by.

Standard opening time
Standard closing time
Don't know

QA12

OE

ASK IF 'Hours vary too much to answer' AT ANY OF QA7 TO QA11c

You said your hours vary too much to answer. Please describe your opening hours in more detail

QA13

ASK ALL

MA

In addition to your standard sessions or hours, do you offer parents of under 5s early drop-offs or late pick-ups for an additional fee?

(Please do not include ad hoc cases where parents drop-off their children early or pick them up late without prior arrangement)

Early drop-off available for additional fee
Late pick-up available for additional fee
No, neither
Don't know

SECTION B - CAPACITY, OCCUPANCY AND GOVERNMENT FUNDED PLACES

QB1a

ASK ALL

ALLOW 2 DIGIT ANSWER ON EACH ROW, RANGE 1 TO 5000.

What is the maximum number of early learning and childcare places for children aged 5 and under that <ServiceName> is registered to provide for each of these age categories?

That is, the total number of places you are registered with the Care Inspectorate to be able to provide, regardless of whether these are private or funded places.

DOWN SIDE OF GRID

Under 2s (0-1 year-olds)
2 year-olds
3 and over
Don't know

QB1b

ASK ALL (EXCEPT THOSE DON'T KNOW FOR ALL 3 AT QB1A)

Your responses indicate that you are registered to provide a maximum total of <TOTAL FROM B1a> early learning and childcare places for children aged 5 and under. Is that correct?

Yes

No IF NO LOOP BACK TO QB1a.

QB2a

ASK IF:

• CODE 2 OR 4 AT QA4 (ONLY OFFER FULL-DAY SESSIONS OR ONLY OFFER HOURLY) OR
• CODE 3 AT Q4 AND CODE 1 OR 2 AT QA5 (OFFER HALF DAYS BUT ON EITHER MORNING OR AFTERNOON, NOT BOTH)
• CODE 5 AT QA4 (other pattern)

How many children are actually currently registered to attend at <ServiceName> on each weekday?

If you do not have any children registered in that age group on that day, please enter '0'.

DOWN SIDE OF GRID

Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday

ALONG TOP OF GRID

Under 2s (0 and 1 year-olds)
2 year-olds
3 and over
Don't know how many children are currently registered to attend

QB2b

ASK IF:

• CODE 1 AT QA4 OR
• CODE 3 AT QA4 (OFFER HALF-DAY SESSIONS) AND CODE 3 AT QA5 (OFFER BOTH MORNING AND AFTERNOON SESSIONS)

How many children are actually currently registered to attend at <ServiceName> in each weekday morning or afternoon slot?

If you do not have any children registered in that age group for that slot, please enter '0'.

DOWN SIDE OF GRID

Monday morning
Monday afternoon
Tuesday morning
Tuesday afternoon
Wednesday morning
Wednesday afternoon
Thursday morning
Thursday afternoon
Friday morning
Friday afternoon

ALONG TOP OF GRID

Under 2s (0 and 1 year-olds)
2 year-olds
3 and over
Don't know how many children are currently registered to attend

QB3

ASK ALL

Do you currently provide any government or council funded early learning and childcare places for eligible …

DOWN SIDE OF GRID

a) 2 year-olds
b) 3-5 year-olds

ACROSS TOP OF GRID

Yes
No
Don't know

QB4

ASK IF YES AT B3a (DO PROVIDE PLACES FOR 2 YOs)

ALLOW 2 DIGIT RESPONSE, RANGE 1 TO 5000.

How many eligible two year-olds do you currently provide government or council funded early learning and childcare places for?
Don't know

QB5

ASK IF YES AT B3b (DO PROVIDE PLACES FOR 3-5 YOs)

ALLOW 2 DIGIT RESPONSE, RANGE 1 TO 5000.

How many eligible three to five year-olds do you currently provide government or council funded early learning and childcare places for?
Don't know

QB6

ASK ALL

Do you currently have any children with disabilities or additional support needs registered with <ServiceName> for early years learning and childcare?
Yes
No

SECTION C - STAFF COSTS

SECTION C INTRO

We are now going to ask you some questions about your costs. You may find it helpful to have relevant information - e.g. annual accounts - to hand for this section.

If necessary, you can ask someone else - e.g. another manager or Treasurer - to complete this section. (If you need to close your browser, please note that you will need to wait 10 minutes before going back into the questionnaire).

The Scottish Government needs detailed and accurate information to ensure it has a reliable understanding of what it costs providers to deliver early learning and childcare. Please answer as accurately as possible, but if you don't know please put in your best estimate.

Just to remind you, the information you give about costs will remain confidential. Ipsos MORI will not share individual providers' cost data with the Scottish Government or anyone else - we will use it to provide average figures to inform the Scottish Government's planning for extending free entitlement to early learning and childcare.

QC1a

ASK ALL

ALLOW UP TO 7 DIGIT RESPONSE, IN WHOLE £.

In the last year, month, week or term (whichever is easier to provide), how much IN TOTAL did you pay in staff costs at <ServiceName>?

Please include:

• Pension contributions
• Costs for permanent and temporary staff
• Costs for all categories of staff

Don't know

QC1b

ASK ALL WHO ENTERED AMOUNT >£0 AT C1a

And what period does that cover?

(NB 'Year' can be used for the last financial year, accounting year, calendar year or the last 12 months)

Year
Month
Week
Term

QC2a

ASK ALL

GRID FORMAT

SA IN EACH CELL

Please fill in the table below to show how many of each type of staff you currently pay at <ServiceName>.

• Please include both permanent staff and temporary staff if you rely on them regularly (other than for covering unexpected leave).
• If you are not sure which category to count people in, include them in the box you think is the best description.
• Please check that the total number shown at the bottom indicates how many staff you have in total in each category

DOWN SIDE OF GRID

Managers (people with overall responsibility for the day-to-day management of <ServiceName>)

Early years supervisors / room supervisors

Early years practitioners

Support workers who are not qualified early years practitioners

Other paid staff (e.g. secretarial, maintenance, catering, or domestic staff)

ACROSS TOP OF GRID

Full time (35+ hours/week)

Part-time 15-34 hours/week

Part-time under 15 hours/week

QC2b

ASK ALL - TO CALCULATE TOTALS FOR EACH CATEGORY FROM C2a - I.E. FOR MANAGERS, TOTAL = TOTAL FULL TIME, 15-34 HR AND <15 HOURS ENTERED FOR MANAGERS AT C2A.

Your responses indicate that you have the following numbers of staff in each category? Is this correct?

Managers = <TOTAL FROM C2a>

Early years supervisors / room supervisors = <TOTAL FROM C2a>

Early years practitioners = <TOTAL FROM C2a>

Support workers who are not qualified early years practitioners = <TOTAL FROM C2a>

Other paid staff (e.g. secretarial, maintenance, catering, or domestic staff) = <TOTAL FROM C2a>

Yes

No

IF NO AT C2b

C2c

Please use the 'back' button to check your answers about numbers of staff in each category.

QC3a

ASK IF 1+ MANAGER WORKING 35+ HOURS AT C2

ALLOW NUMERIC RESPONSE, RANGE £0-£300,000.

The next few questions ask about average salaries for different members of staff. For each of these:

• Please tell us per year, month, week, hour or term - whichever is easier.
• Please give the gross salary, before tax and national insurance
• If you are not sure of the exact average, please give us your best estimate

What is the average full time equivalent salary of a manager at <ServiceName>? That is, the average amount you pay a manager working 35 hours a week.

Don't know

QC3b

ASK IF RESPONSE (OTHER THAN DK) AT C3a

And what period does that cover?

Year
Month
Week
Hour
Term

QC4a

ASK IF 1+ MANAGER BUT ALL MANAGERS WORK <35 HOURS WEEK AT C2

ALLOW NUMERIC RESPONSE, RANGE £0-£300,000.

The next few questions ask about average salaries for different members of staff. For each of these:

• Please tell us per year, month, week, hour or term - whichever is easier
• We'll also ask you to tell us how many hours a week this average covers (e.g. average for a manager working 15 hours a week)
• Please give the gross salary, before tax and national insurance
• If you are not sure of the exact average, please give us your best estimate

What is the average salary of a manager at <ServiceName>?

Don't know

QC4b

ASK IF RESPONSE (OTHER THAN DK) AT C4a

And what period does that cover?

Year
Month
Week
Hour
Term

QC4c

ASK IF RESPONSE (OTHER THAN DK) AT C4a

ALLOW NUMERIC RESPONSE, RANGE 1-80

And roughly many hours a week does that average manager's salary cover?

Don't know

QC5a

ASK IF 1+ EARLY YEARS SUPERVISOR/ROOM SUPERVISOR WORKING 35+ HOURS AT C2

ALLOW NUMERIC RESPONSE, RANGE £0-£300,000.

What is the average full time equivalent salary of an early years' supervisor / room supervisor at <ServiceName>? That is, the average amount you pay a supervisor working 35 hours a week.

Please tell us per year, month, week, hour or term - whichever is easier

Don't know

QC5b

ASK IF RESPONSE (OTHER THAN DK) AT C5a

And what period does that cover?

Year
Month
Week
Hour
Term

QC6a

ASK IF 1+ EY SUPERVISOR/ROOM SUPERVISOR BUT ALL SUPERVISORS WORK <35 HOURS WEEK AT C2

ALLOW NUMERIC RESPONSE, RANGE £0-£300,000.

What is the average salary of an early years' supervisor / room supervisor at <ServiceName>?

Please tell us per year, month, week, hour or term - whichever is easier

Don't know

QC6b

ASK IF RESPONSE (OTHER THAN DK) AT C6a

And what period does that cover?

Year
Month
Week
Hour
Term

QC6c

ASK IF C6b = 1-3 or 5 (i.e. ALL EXCEPT HOURLY)

ALLOW NUMERIC RESPONSE, RANGE 1-80

And roughly many hours a week does that average early years' supervisor / room supervisor salary cover?

Don't know

QC7a

ASK IF 1+ EARLY YEARS SUPERVISOR/ROOM SUPERVISOR WORKING 35+ HOURS AT C2

ALLOW NUMERIC RESPONSE, RANGE £0-£300,000.

What is the average full time equivalent salary of an early years' practitioner at <ServiceName>? That is, the average amount you pay a practitioner working 35 hours a week.

Please tell us per year, month, week, hour or term - whichever is easier

Don't know

QC7b

ASK IF RESPONSE (OTHER THAN DK) AT C7a

And what period does that cover?

Year
Month
Week
Hour
Term

QC8a

ASK IF 1+ EY SUPERVISOR/ROOM SUPERVISOR BUT ALL SUPERVISORS WORK <35 HOURS WEEK AT C2

ALLOW NUMERIC RESPONSE, RANGE £0-£300,000.

What is the average salary of an early years' practitioner at <ServiceName>?

Please tell us per year, month, week, hour or term - whichever is easier

Don't know

QC8b

ASK IF RESPONSE (OTHER THAN DK) AT C8a

And what period does that cover?

Year
Month
Week
Hour
Term

QC8c

ASK IF C8b = 1-3 or 5 (i.e. ALL EXCEPT HOURLY)

ALLOW NUMERIC RESPONSE, RANGE 1-80

And roughly many hours a week does that average early years' practitioner's salary cover?

Don't know

QC9

SA

ASK ALL

Do you currently contribute towards a pension scheme for any of your employees?

Yes - all employees

Yes - some employees

No - we do not contribute towards an employee pension scheme

Don't know

SECTION D - OTHER COSTS

QD1

MA

ASK ALL

Which of these best describes your premises?

Rented from a private owner

Rented / provided for a fee from a charity / church

Rented from council / other public sector organisation

Provided rent free

Being bought with a mortgage

Owned outright

Don't know

QD2a

ALLOW NUMERIC RESPONSE IN £, RANGE £1 UP

ASK IF CODE 1, 2, 3 OR 5 AT QD2 (MORTGAGE OR RENT)

In the last year, month, week or term (whichever is easier), how much did you spend on rent or mortgage payments for <ServiceName>?

Don't know

QD2b

SA

ASK IF RESPONSE >=£1 AT D2a

And what period does that cover?

Year
Month
Week
Term
Other period

QD2c

SA

ASK IF 'OTHER' (5) AT D2b

You ticked 'other'. What period did that rent/mortgage payment cover?

Every fortnight
Every four weeks
Every two months
Quarterly (every 3 months)
Twice a year (every 6 months)
Other specify -OTHER SPECIFY

QD3

GRID

For each of the costs listed in this grid, we would like to know the TOTAL SPENT by <ServiceName> over the last year. For each cost heading, you can give the amount spent per year, month, week, term or quarter - whichever is easier. Use the drop down list to select the relevant period and the table will calculate the yearly spend for you.

If you have not spent anything on a particular category in the last year, please enter '£0'.

DOWN SIDE OF GRID

Utilities - such as gas, electricity, phone and internet

Consumables - e.g. food, nappies, toilet roll, cleaning materials etc.

External catering costs

Play and learning equipment (e.g. toys, books, play materials)

Play and learning activities and services (e.g. trips, external providers of play or learning activities)

Course fees and expenses for staff training

ICT equipment and office supplies

Transport costs (e.g. vehicle hire/maintenance)

Maintaining or improving your building (including salaries /costs for any maintenance staff and one-off maintenance costs)

Contracts for building services (e.g. waste management, cleaning, fire, pest control, boiler, etc.)

Business rates

Other taxes excluding payroll taxes (e.g. VAT, corporation taxes)

Anything else, not covered above

ALONG TOP OF GRID

TOTAL SPEND

ALLOW NUMERIC RESPONSE IN £, RANGE £0+

PERIOD COVERED

Year
Month
Weekly (term time only)
Weekly (year round)
Term
Quarter

TOTAL SPEND LAST YEAR

CALCULATED FROM TOTAL SPEND AND PERIOD COVERED AND SHOWN SO RESPONDENTS CAN SEE IT. I.E.:

• IF PERIOD = YEAR, TOTAL SPEND LAST YEAR = TOTAL SPEND X 1
• IF PERIOD = MONTH, TOTAL SPEND LAST YEAR = TOTAL SPEND X 12
• IF PERIOD = WEEKLY (TERMTIME ONLY), TOTAL SPEND LAST YEAR = TOTAL SPEND X 38
• IF PERIOD = WEEKLY (YEAR ROUND), TOTAL SPEND LAST YEAR = TOTAL SPEND X 52
• IF PERIOD = TERM, TOTAL SPEND LAST YEAR = TOTAL SPEND X 3
• IF PERIOD = QUARTER, TOTAL SPEND LAST YEAR = TOTAL SPEND X 4

QD4

OE

ASK IF RESPONSE >£0 FOR 'ANYTHING ELSE, NOT COVERED ABOVE' AT D3

Please give a brief description of any other costs you have incurred in the last year, that were not covered by the other items listed.

SECTION E - FEES AND INCOME

QE1

ASK ALL

Do the fees you charge parents for pre-school early learning and childcare for children aged 5 and under vary depending on the age of the child?

Yes

No

QE2a

GRID - RESPONSE IN EACH BOX

ASK IF 1 (YES) AT QE1

ALLOW NUMERIC RESPONSES FROM £0 UP

Please enter your standard parent fee structure for 2, 3 and 4 year-olds.

Please enter to the nearest whole £.

If a particular fee does not apply at <ServiceName>, please enter '£0' in the box.

If your fees for a particular category vary (other than by age of child), then please enter your average or typical fee for that category.

DOWN SIDE OF GRID

Cost per half-day session
Cost per full day
Cost per week
Cost per hour
Cost per term

ALONG TOP OF GRID

2 year-olds
3 year-olds
4 year-olds

QE2b

ANSWER ON EACH ROW

ASK IF 2 (NO) AT QE1

ALLOW NUMERIC RESPONSES FROM £0 UP

Please enter your standard parent fee structure for 2, 3 and 4 year-olds.

Please enter to the nearest whole £.

If a particular fee does not apply at <ServiceName>, please enter '£0' in the box.

If your fees for a particular category vary (other than by age of child), then please enter your average or typical fee for that category.

Cost per half-day session
Cost per full day
Cost per week
Cost per hour
Cost per term

QE3

SA ON EACH ROW

ASK ALL

Please indicate whether each of the following are included in your standard session fees, charged for separately, or whether parents are asked to bring them in themselves?

DOWN SIDE

Lunchtime food and / or snacks
Nappies and / or wipes
Additional learning / play activities or trips

ACROSS TOP

Included in standard session fees
Charged for separately
Parents bring in themselves
Don't know

QE4a

ALLOW NUMERIC RESPONSE (£0+)

ASK ALL

In the last year, month, week or term (whichever is easier), what was your TOTAL income from fees and additional charges paid by parents?

Don't know

QE4b

SA

ASK IF RESPONSE >=£1 AT QE4a

And what period does that cover?

Year
Month
Week
Term

QE5a

ALLOW NUMERIC RESPONSE (£0+)

ASK ALL

In the last year, month, week or term (whichever is easier), what was your TOTAL income from government or council funding of early years learning and childcare places?

Don't know

QE5b

SA

ASK IF RESPONSE >=£1 AT QE4a

And what period does that cover?

Year
Month
Week
Term

QE6a

ALLOW NUMERIC RESPONSE (£0+)

ASK ALL

In the last year, month, week or term (whichever is easier), what was your TOTAL income from other sources, such as fundraising?

Don't know

QE6b

SA

ASK IF RESPONSE >=£1 AT QE4a

And what period does that cover?

Year
Month
Week
Term

QE7a

ALLOW NUMERIC RESPONSE (£0+)

ASK ALL

What rate does your Council pay you per funded place for eligible two year-olds? You can give the rate per hour, half-day, day, week, term or year, whichever is easier.

Don't know

QE7b

SA

And is that the rate per …

Hour
Half-day
Week
Month
Term
Year

QE8a

ALLOW NUMERIC RESPONSE (£0+)

ASK ALL

And what rate does your Council pay you for funded places for eligible three and four year-olds? Again give the rate per hour, half-day, day, week, term or year, whichever is easier.

Don't know

QE8b

SA

And is that the rate per …

Hour
Half-day
Week
Month
Term
Year

SECTION F - OTHER QUESTIONS

SECTION F INTRO TEXT

Finally, we just have a few other questions about <ServiceName>

QF1a

ASK ALL

GRID FORMAT

ALLOW NUMERIC RESPONSE ON EACH ROW, RANGE 0 TO 100

How many of your early years staff (including managers and supervisors if they spend time working directly with children) have their highest early years or childcare qualification at each of the following levels?

If no staff have a qualification at that level, please enter '0'.

SVQ level 1 or equivalent
SVQ level 2 or equivalent
SVQ level 3 or equivalent (including HNC)
SVQ level 4 or equivalent (including HND or degree) or above

Don't know

QF1b

ASK ALL

ALLOW NUMERIC RESPONSE, RANGE 0 TO 100

And how many of your early years staff (including managers and supervisors if they spend time working directly with children) are qualified teachers?

Don't know

QF2

ASK ALL

SA

In a typical week, do any unpaid trainees, volunteers or parent helpers directly help support the delivery of early learning and childcare at <ServiceName>?

Yes

No

Don't know

QF3

ASK IF YES (1) AT QF2

GRID FORMAT

NUMERIC RESPONSE IN EACH CELL, RANGE 0 TO 100.

Please enter the number of trainees/volunteers who spend 35+, 15-34 or less than 15 hours with you in a typical week .

ALONG TOP

Number of unpaid trainees/volunteers helping for …

DOWN SIDE

35+ hours/week
15-34 hours/week
Less than 15 hours/week
Don't know

QF4

ASK ALL

SA PER ROW

How difficult or easy have you found it over the last year to …

DOWN SIDE

Recruit appropriately qualified new members of staff for <ServiceName>?

Retain existing members of staff at <ServiceName>?

ALONG TOP

Very difficult
Fairly difficult
Fairly easy
Very Easy
Don't know

QF5

ASK ALL

SA

In the next year, do you expect <ServiceName> to …

Expand to cater for more children
Stay the same size
Get smaller (cater for fewer children)
Close down altogether
Don't know

QF6 a

ASK ALL

SA

Finally, how confident are you that <ServiceName> can accommodate an increase from 600 to 1,140 hours for government/council funded places?

Very confident
Fairly confident
Not very confident
Not at all confident
Don't know

QF6b

ASK IF 3 OR 4 (NOT VERY/AT ALL CONFIDENT) AT QF6a

OE

Why would you say you are not confident about being able to accommodate an increase in hours?

QF7

ASK ALL

OE

Is there anything else you would like to add in response to the topics covered in this survey?

END TEXT

Thank you very much for taking the time to complete this. Your views will help shape the planning of childcare provision in Scotland. Just to remind you, your individual responses are confidential and will not be shared outside Ipsos MORI.