The (early months of the) Early Years Longitudinal Survey Simon Anderson

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Overview Background to the survey The scoping and consultation process Key design considerations Timetable for coming months

Background SEED Research Committee identified need to look at future data needs Fed into Executive-wide scoping exercise to identify the requirement for longitudinal data. Two significant information gaps identified in the area of children/young people: –Early Years –Youth transitions Looked at potential for addressing these through a longitudinal survey

Main aims Provide resource for monitoring and evaluating effectiveness of early years/children's services policies Contribute to the development of the early years/children's services evidence base for the Executive and the wider research community

Requirements Face-to-face survey of parents Intensive focus on EY group, but opportunities for follow-up through childhood and adolescence Core plus modular structure Cross-sectional and longitudinal function National representation, but also capable of analysis by urban/rural, deprived/non-deprived etc. Systematic approach to target groups of key policy interest

Research team and contract Two-part contract –Initial scoping study –First two years fieldwork Multi-level team –NatCen in collaboration with CRFR (Core Project Team) –Project Affiliates –Wider consultation/involvement

The scoping study Main objectives –Matching methods and content to policy need –Embedding the study in wider networks Main elements –Interviews with key stakeholders –Consultation events: Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen –Methodological review

Existing questions sets Child development Child physical and mental health Diet and physical activity Sleeping patterns Parenting behaviours Parents’ well-being Sources of support Couple relationships

Other studies being looked at Millennium Cohort Study Birth Cohort series EPPE study Avon Longitudinal Survey Families and Children Survey Edinburgh Study of Youth Transitions West of Scotland, study Parents’ demand for access to childcare survey

Hard choices No single ‘correct’ design – different configurations offer range of pros and cons Key areas of choice include –Cost versus sample size –Cross-sectional versus longitudinal data –Short-term versus long-term interests –Breadth versus depth in subject coverage –Core sample versus key target groups

Sample design considerations Three main types of data –Cross-sectional time-specific –Cross-sectional time series –Longitudinal

Age at interview Year BC1YC1-2YC2-3YC3-4YC BC2 BC1YC1-2YC2-3YC BC3 BC2BC1YC1-2YC BC4 BC3BC2BC1YC BC5 BC4BC3BC2BC BC6 BC5BC4BC3BC2 2010BC6BC5BC4BC3

Age at interview Year BC1YC BC1YC BC1YC BC2 BC1 2008BC2BC1 2009BC BC3 BC2

Key target groups Children in single parent families Children living in poverty Children in rural communities Children in Minority Ethnic households Children with SENs Children with disabilities Looked After Children

Other key issues Sampling frame: CB records or CHI? Value/feasibility of data linkage Relationship to other surveys (e.g. MCS) Arrangements for sample maintenance Arrangements for dissemination and utilisation Predicting the future: trends in data protection, data collection and data linkage

Where now? Consultation events in early March Report and recommendations to the Scottish Executive at end March Sampling and questionnaire development – March-September Fieldwork starts – Autumn 2004

Consultation events Aberdeen 12 th March Edinburgh 12 th March Glasgow 11 th March Details at