Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) – parents' views and use: research findings 2025

11 Provision for younger children

This chapter considers the views of parents of children under the age of three who are not yet receiving funded ELC^[31]. It explores the use of paid-for childcare and parents’ views of funded ELC being available for these children, and the aspects of ELC that would be most important if funded ELC were available for them.

11.1 Profile of use of paid-for childcare

Parents were asked what type of paid-for childcare (if any) they currently used for their children under three who were not eligible for funded ELC (Figure 11.1). Around one-third (37%) did not use any childcare. The most common type of childcare mentioned was a private nursery (51%). Only a small percentage used other forms of paid-for childcare, such as a childminder (7%) or a community/voluntary nursery (4%). These findings are consistent with 2022.

Base: Parents with a child under three years old (unweighted base: n=2,358)

There were some notable differences in the use of paid-for childcare for this age group by household composition. Respondents more likely to pay for private nursery for their under-threes were from households with:

• Two-parents (54%) compared with 35% of single-parent households.
• Two parents in work (59%, compared with 41% with one parent in work and 5% with no parent in work).
• An income of £60,000 or more per annum (68%, compared with 21% of households with an income of less than £16,000 per annum).
• Those living in the 80% least deprived areas (55%, compared with 29% of households in the 20% most deprived areas).
• No child aged under six with ASN (55%, compared with 28% of households with at least one child aged under six with ASN).

The first two subgroups were also highlighted in 2022.

11.2 Reasons for not using paid-for childcare

Parents who did not use paid-for childcare for their child aged under three were asked why this was the case (Figure 11.2). This was most commonly because they could not afford to pay for childcare (41%), they thought their child was too young to attend paid-for childcare (39%), and they wanted or were able to look after their child themselves most of the time (38%). These were also the three most common reasons highlighted in 2022. Of those who selected the ‘Other’ option (20%), the most common reasons that parents were not using paid-for childcare were that they were currently on maternity leave or that their child was only born recently.

Base: Parents of a child under three years old who do not use paid-for childcare (unweighted base, n=883)

11.3 Interest in expansion of funded ELC to one- and two-year-olds

In the survey, parents of children aged under three and currently ineligible for funded ELC were asked how interested they would be in using this if it was made available. The majority of respondents (91%) said they would be interested, with 80% saying they would be very interested in using funded ELC for their child under three years. This is consistent with the findings in 2022.

Respondents most likely to be interested in funded ELC for their child aged under three were households with two parents in work (94%, compared with 83% with one parent and 87% with no parent in work); households with only one child (97%, compared with 88% with two and 81% with three or more children); and households in accessible areas (92% compared with those in remote areas (82%). This is consistent with the findings in 2022.

In interviews, some parents felt that the eligibility criteria for funded ELC provision for two-year-olds was too restrictive and that a lot of two-year-olds, particularly those with ASN, could benefit from funded ELC at a younger age. Some participants did not feel it was right that those who were earning more, or not in receipt of specific benefits, were ineligible for funded ELC for two-year-olds, and this was a disincentive for parents to work.

Overall, participants would like to see the eligibility for funded ELC extended to all two-year-olds. Participants also proposed that provision for eligible two-year-olds should be better advertised to improve awareness. Participants also drew comparisons with the funded ELC provision available in England, suggesting that Scottish provision should also be available from when the child is one year old. Participants reported that more support earlier on was important for those who do not have access to other forms of childcare.

In England people are able to access support from much earlier than in Scotland. So maybe like trying to match for that. […] ideally from one year old because I was on one year’s Maternity Leave so my daughter she started nursery when she was like 13 months old. (Parent of a three- to five-year-old)

11.4 Factors considered when choosing childcare

Respondents who were interested in funded ELC for children aged under three were asked what factors they would consider when choosing childcare (Figure 11.3).

Factors that were considered important or very important by at least 8 in 10 parents were: confidence in the staff (100%); opportunity for my child to meet and play with other children (99%); provide good outdoor experiences (98%); convenient location for home (94%); and flexible hours/sessions (85%). This is consistent with findings in 2022.

Base: Parents with a child under three years old (unweighted base, n=2,164)

There were a number of subgroup differences, including that single-parent households were more likely than two-parent households to consider settings with flexible hours (91%, compared with 84%) and where they would be able to drop-in with their child when they like/not having to book ahead (51% compared with 37%), as well as staff’s ability to meet their child’s ASN (71%, compared with 53%). For a full list of subgroup differences, please see Supplementary Tables J3a-J14c.