Funded early learning and childcare in private, third sector and childminding settings: delivery costs

Appendix A: Participant Information

Data Collection for Costs of Delivering Funded Early Learning and Childcare: Participant Information

This information sheet has been written to help you decide if you would like to take part.

What is this research about? Do I have to take part?

The research is an online survey that asks childcare providers in the private, third and childminding sectors who deliver funded early learning and childcare (ELC) to provide information on their costs of delivery.

The exercise has been shaped by feedback from providers throughout, to ensure the survey is as concise and robust as possible. Questions have been carefully considered and crafted to ensure that they cover only necessary information.

As part of the exercise a specific survey has been developed for childminders, which only includes questions relevant to childminding services.

We hope as many providers as possible will take part. The information you provide will ensure that your local authority takes local sustainable rate setting decisions based on as accurate and up to date information as possible. It will also inform the development of new guidance, and will help to inform the Scottish Government and COSLA’s future financial planning.

Who is funding this research?

The Scottish Government (https://www.gov.scot/) is funding this research.

Who is conducting this research?

The Scottish Government has commissioned Diffley Partnership to conduct this research. Diffley Partnership are an independent research agency based in Edinburgh, made up of a team of expert researchers (https://diffleypartnership.co.uk/).

What would I be required to do?

You will take part in a survey, in which you will be asked a series of questions. Questions will cover your current costs, your income, your capacity and occupancy, and the fees you charge parents. In addition, the survey also collects information on your views regarding any anticipated future cost pressures for your setting.

This information is comprehensive and may require you to have a first look at the survey questions and then go away and collect the relevant information. You may need another person to complete parts of the survey or need to have accounts and other records to hand or need to come back into the questionnaire later.

We estimate that, with the relevant information to hand, this survey will take approximately an hour of your time.

Are there any benefits associated with taking part?

It is important that providers receive rates for the delivery of funded ELC which are set at levels that support long-term sustainability.

This requires local authorities to be able to draw on robust and reliable information to inform local sustainable rate setting.

The information from the survey will inform the future sustainable rates set by your local authority, including the development of new guidance, and will help to inform the Scottish Government and COSLA’s future financial planning.

Are there any risks associated with taking part?

The survey will include questions on financial information, which may be commercially sensitive. Individual responses will be completely confidential and will not be seen by anybody outside of Diffley Partnership. Financial information will not be shared with the local authority where you are based.

The information that local authorities, the Scottish Government and COSLA receive will be aggregated results, which are anonymised and non-disclosive.

What happens to the information I provide?

Your answers are treated with care and with full respect for your privacy.

The information collected is used for research purposes only and will be dealt with in accordance with data protection legislation.

When will my data be destroyed?

Diffley Partnership will delete data within six months after they finish the work for the Scottish Government.

What should I do if I have questions or concerns about this study?

If you have any queries about this study, please contact Scott Edgar, Senior Research Manager at Diffley Partnership at research@diffleypartnership.co.uk. Scott is the Project Manager for this research.