We tested the sensitivity of the value of the output of childcare to:

• using different assumptions about the amount of time children spend without supervision - increasing the unsupervised time of 11-15 year olds by 10 percentage points reduces the value of childcare by 3 per cent in 2000, assuming no unsupervised time increases the value by 6 per cent;
• assuming no informal care during the school day for school age children - this decreases the value of childcare by less than 1 per cent in 2000;
• assuming 50 per cent take-up of childminder, day nursery and playgroup places reduces the total value of childcare by less than 1 per cent in 2000;
• using a childminder rate (assuming a 40-hour week) - this increases the value of childcare by 7 per cent in 2000.