Overview

This report is based on analysis of data from stage two of the Melbourne sample of the Australian Institute of Family Studies Early Childhood Study. The study focuses on issues concerning the care of preschool children. The Melbourne sample consisted of 446 mothers who were interviewed about the care of their children who were the particular focus of the study. Mothers were selected on the basis of the hours of non-parental care experienced by their children in the preschool years and particularly in the first twelve months of life. The sample therefore over-represents mothers in the workforce. Information on the following topics is reported: child care on first return to work, child care over the preschool years, satisfaction with child care, choices of care, transport, kindergarten, and satisfaction with services in the neighbourhood. The data was analysed according to inner, middle and outer regions of Melbourne, as well as according to other sample characteristics such as language spoken in the home, fathers' income, education of the parents and mothers' work patterns.