Authors

• Hietamäki, Johanna (Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare)
• Lammi-Taskula, Johanna (Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare)
• Närvi, Johanna (Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare)
• Alasuutari, Maarit (University of Jyväskylä)
• Kuusiholma, Julia (University of Jyväskylä)
• Ruutiainen, Ville (University of Jyväskylä)
• Räikkönen, Eija (University of Jyväskylä)
• Sulkanen, Mimmu (University of Jyväskylä)
• Eerola, Petteri (Tampere University)
• Fjällström, Salla (Tampere University)
• Karila, Kirsti (Tampere University)
• Kivimäki, Mirka (Tampere University)
• Paananen, Maiju (Tampere University)
• Repo, Katja (Tampere University)

Keywords

child care, child day care, child development, children, family life, labour and employment, parental role, parents, pre-primary education

Abstract

The survey examined the circumstances of families with four-year-old children regarding, among other topics, living arrangements, income, parental roles, childcare arrangements, and childcare allowances and vouchers. Respondents included the guardians of four-year-old children in Finland. The survey was conducted as part of the Finnish Childcare Policies: In/equality in Focus (CHILDCARE) research project, a joint collaboration by the University of Jyväskylä, Tampere University and Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare.

First, the respondents were asked about their four-year-old child's childcare arrangements. Questions examined what arrangements they had in place for their four-year-old and any other children and how satisfied they were with the arrangements. Further questions were asked based on whether the child was at home or looked after by an unpaid carer or in day care. Next, the respondents' work situation, work-life balance, well-being, and family circumstances were surveyed. Questions also focused on the respondents' financial situation and views on childcare policies.

Background variables included, among others, the respondent's municipality of residence (categorised), gender, age group, marital status, family composition, level of education, and current activity and employment. Additionally, background information relating to the child was collected, including the child's gender, living arrangements, and childcare arrangements. The education and current activity of the respondent's spouse/partner were also charted.

Temporal comparisons can be made between this dataset and dataset FSD3577 Early Childhood Education and Care Survey 2016 based on the randomised id variable.