Formal care
As described above, 34 per cent of children in child care use some formal service, either
solely or in combination with informal child care arrangements.
Despite differences in data collection methodology1^ and scope1 4 between the ABS
Child Care Survey 1990 and the CSP Census 1991, it is clear that approximately half of
all children receiving formal child care did so in preschools (Table 4.11).15 Long day care
and family day care were the next most frequently used service types, accounting for
20 per cent and 14 per cent of children in formal care respectively according to the ABS
Child Care Survey.
A much smaller number of children use 'other formal care' services. Estimates vary
from 4 to 10 per cent of all formal service users depending on which data source is used:
the 'other' category in the CSP Census combines occasional care services,
Multifunctional Children's Services and Multifunctional Aboriginal Children's Services
while the ABS category 'other formal' also includes unfunded service types such as
13. The ABS surveys a sample of parents from the population and relies on the parents' knowledge
of the service types they use. Terms describing service types are not consistent across States and
Territories, and some service types are not easily identified by parents. CSP data are collected
from service providers and thus the distinction between service types can be regarded as more
accurate than that from the ABS Child Care Survey.
14. The CSP Census currently collects data on those services which are funded under the CSP
program, while the ABS collects data on all services used by respondents, whether or not these
are included in the CSP program.
15. National estimates of use of preschool services have been derived from Census of Population
and Housing 'highest level of education' information. This data differs substantially from
available State and Territory administrative data sources. See Box 4.3 for discussion of State
and Territory administrative data on service usage.