This project measures and values the output of household production of childcare. This is all care which does not involve payment, whether given by parents, relatives, friends or neighbours. An adjustment is made for time spent by older children without adult supervision.

All the estimates are experimental, and should be interpreted cautiously, bearing in mind their sensitivity to the assumptions used. Feedback is most welcome at any time.

Please let us know by 31st May 2002 if you are planning to comment on the methodology by e-mailing hhsa@ons.gov.uk.

Volume data gives the estimate for the years 1995 to 2000 of formal childcare places for each UK country, and total hours of formal and informal childcare.

Value data gives the estimate for the years 1995 to 2000 of informal childcare, using nanny and childminder rates.

Sensitivity tests (blue box in the diagram) have been calculated using different assumptions of time spent in formal care places, the take-up of those places and the time a child aged between 11 and 15 may be left unsupervised.

Go to the downloads page (see below) for the relevant chapter of the methodology paper (in pdf format), which details the assumptions used to compile the estimates.

Analysis looks at change over a five year period in the percentage of time spent in formal and informal care, and the time spent by men and women looking after children.

Links contains information on data sources, publications and other websites relating to childcare.