Data Training Resources from the NSECE
Questions about the data files or documentation? Email the NSECE team at [email protected]
OPRE is sponsoring an NSECE Users' Group to provide a forum for researchers to learn from one another and to help the NSECE team develop the most useful technical assistance materials. You can join the mailing list for the group.
About the NSECE
The National Survey of Early Care and Education provides a comprehensive picture of the use and availability of early care and education (ECE) across the United States. This study is funded by the Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation (OPRE) in the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services with research set aside funds from the CCDBG Act of 2014.
The NSECE consists of a set of four integrated, nationally representative surveys of:
- Households with children under 13,
- Home-based providers of ECE,
- Center-based providers of ECE, and
- The center-based provider workforce.
Together these surveys characterize the supply of and demand for ECE in America and permit better understanding of how well families' needs and preferences for ECE coordinate with providers' offerings and constraints.
2012 NSECE. The NSECE was first fielded in 2012. Both public-use and restricted use data have been available to the policy and research communities since 2014 through this site along with technical resources to support further research with these data.
For more information on the design of the 2012 NSECE, please see the summary data collection and sampling methodology report.
For a more detailed picture of the 2012 NSECE sample design, please see the NSECE sampling report.
2019 NSECE. The NSECE was fielded most recently in 2019 to collect updated information and to better understand how the ECE landscape has changed between 2012 and 2019. To meet these objectives, the 2019 NSECE adopted a study design similar to that of the 2012 NSECE and made updates to the NSECE questionnaires to allow for comparisons between the 2012 and 2019 rounds.
NSECE COVID-19 Longitudinal Follow-up. In light of the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in Spring 2020, the Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation (OPRE) funded a new data collection effort beginning in 2020 to learn how the pandemic was affecting ECE providers and the individuals who work directly with children in ECE settings. The NSECE project team sought to re-interview center-based providers, center-based workforce members, listed home-based providers, and unlisted and paid home-based providers, who completed surveys in the 2019 NSECE. Households participating in the 2019 NSECE were not included in the NSECE COVID-19 Longitudinal Follow-up. Data collection for the NSECE COVID-19 Longitudinal Follow-up took place across two waves between late 2020 and early 2022.
Getting to Know the 2019 National Survey of Early Care and Education
Available data files and how to access them
The NSECE data will be available in three different configurations and at two different restricted levels. Users can reference the 2012 NSECE Data Files Overview, the 2019 NSECE Data Files Overview, and the COVID NSECE Data Files Overview to determine which level of access is right for them.
Downloadable Quick Tabulation Files
These files are specifically designed for easy, off-the-shelf use without extensive investments in data management or
review of documentation. The project team has developed them as a resource for agency staff, policy firms, and
researchers who would like to become familiar with the NSECE data or answer quick-turnaround policy-relevant questions
for which tabulations are needed.
- Home-based Unlisted Provider Quick Tabulation File (DS3)
- Home-based Listed Provider Quick Tabulation File (DS4)
- Center-based Provider Quick Tabulation File (DS2)
- Workforce Quick Tabulation File (DS1)
- Household Child-level Quick Tabulation File (DS5)
- Household Quick Tabulation File (DS6)
- Home-based Unlisted Provider Quick Tabulation File (DS3)
- Home-based Listed Provider Quick Tabulation File (DS4)
- Center-based Provider Quick Tabulation File (DS2)
- Workforce Quick Tabulation File (DS1)
2019 NSECE Quick Tabulation Manuals
- Home-based Unlisted Provider Quick Tabulation Manual (DS3)
- Home-based Listed Provider Quick Tabulation Manual (DS4)
- Center-based Provider Quick Tabulation Manual (DS2)
- Workforce Quick Tabulation Manual (DS1)
2012 NSECE Quick Tabulation Manuals
Downloadable Public-Use Files
These public-use data files are the most comprehensive set of downloadable files that include nearly all of the questionnaire response data along with a number of created variables and community characteristics data that will facilitate analysis on key Early Care and Education topics. They will be of interest to a wide audience of researchers investigating various topics related to Early Care and Education in the United States.
NSECE COVID-19 Longitudinal Follow-up
- Workforce Cumulative Public-Use
- Center-based Cumulative Public Use
- Home-based Cumulative Public Use Data File (DS9)
- Household Calendar Public-Use Data File (DS8)
- Household Public-Use Data File (DS9)
- Home-based Public-Use Data File (DS7)
- Center-based Public-Use Data File (DS6)
- Workforce Public-Use Data File (DS5)
- Household Calendar Public-Use Data File (DS10)
- Household Public-Use Data File (DS11)
- Home-based Public-Use Data File (DS9)
- Center-based Public-Use Data File (DS8)
- Workforce Public-Use Data File (DS7)
COVID-19 Longitudinal Follow-up User’s Guides
- Workforce User’s Guide (DS1)
- Center-based Provider User’s Guide (DS5)
- Home-based Provider User’s Guide (DS9)
2019 NSECE User's Guides
- Household User’s Guide (DS9)
- Home-based Provider User’s Guide (DS7)
- Center-based Provider User’s Guide (DS6)
- Workforce User’s Guide (DS5)
2012 NSECE User's Guides
Restricted-Use Files (Level 1 and 1a)
In addition to the Quick Tabulation and Public-Use Files named above, the Child and Family Data Archive (CFData) also provides access to the 2012 and 2019 NSECE Level 1 and NSECE COVID-19 Longitudinal Follow-up Level 1a Restricted-Use Files. The restricted-use files include questionnaire response data with limited disclosure risk as well as additional community characteristics data that will facilitate analysis on key Early Care and Education topics. In 2012, the "R" symbol in the User's Guide identifies there is a restricted-use variable that contains additional information than shown for the public-use version of the variable. In 2019 and COVID-19 Longitudinal Follow-up data, restricted-use variables are documented in the Level 1 and Level 1a manuals, respectively. These files will also be of interest to a wide audience of researchers investigating various topics related to Early Care and Education in the United States.
COVID-19 Longitudinal Follow-up Level 1a Restricted Use Data Files
- Workforce Level 1a Restricted-Use Data
- Workforce Cumulative Level 1a Restricted-Use Data File (DS2)
- Workforce Wave 1 Level 1a Restricted-Use Data File (DS3)
- Workforce Wave 2 Level 1a Restricted-Use Data File (DS4)
- Center-based Provider Level 1a Restricted-Use Data
- Center-based Provider Cumulative Level 1a Restricted-Use Data File (DS6)
- Center-based Provider Wave 1 Level 1a Restricted-Use Data File (DS7)
- Center-based Provider Wave 2 Level 1a Restricted-Use Data File (DS8)
- Home-based Provider Level 1a Restricted-Use Manual
- Home-based Provider Cumulative Level 1a Restricted-Use Data File (DS10)
- Home-based Provider Wave 1 Level 1a Restricted-Use Data File (DS11)
- Home-based Provider Wave 2 Level 1a Restricted-Use Data File (DS12)
2019 NSECE Level 1 Restricted-Use Files
- Workforce Restricted-Use Data File (DS1)
- Center-based Provider Restricted-Use Data File (DS2)
- Home-based Provider Restricted-Use Data File (DS3)
- Household Data Restricted-Use Data File (DS4)
2012 NSECE Level 1 Restricted-Use Files
- Household Restricted-Use Data File (DS15)
- Home-based Restricted-Use Data File (DS14)
- Center-based Restricted-Use File (DS13)
- Workforce Restricted-Use File (DS12)
COVID-19 Longitudinal Follow-up Restricted-use Data File Manuals
- Workforce Level 1a Restricted-use Manual (DS3-4)
- Center-based Provider Level 1a Restricted-use Manual (DS6-9)
- Home-based Provider Level 1a Restricted-use Manual (DS10-12)
2019 NSECE Restricted-use Data File Manuals
- Workforce Restricted-Use Data File Manual (DS1)
- Center-based Provider Restricted-Use Data File Manual (DS2)
- Home-based Provider Restricted-Use Data File Manual (DS3)
- Household Data Restricted-Use Data File Manual (DS4)
2012 NSECE User’s Guides
Levels 2 and 3 Restricted-Use data files
The original project team at NORC at the University of Chicago will provide access to the Levels 2 and 3 Restricted-Use data files, subject to approval by NORC and OPRE. These files may include state and county identifiers as well as linking variables for cluster-level analyses and county- and cluster-level sampling. For more information, please see the access instructions for NSECE Levels 2/3 Restricted-Use Data (pdf).
Tutorials
To date, OPRE has published a number of resources to support the use of NSECE data.
2019 NSECE Incorporating Geography into NSECE Analyses - Webinar and Workshop Series
- This series, consisting of one webinar and two supporting interactive workshops, is designed to give researchers tools for incorporating geographic concepts into their NSECE analyses. Using data from the 2019 NSECE, presenters provide a technical overview of the role that geography plays in the NSECE sample design, the geography data available for research, and some examples of best practices when using the geography data. The training also emphasizes the importance of data reporting guidelines to protect respondent confidentiality when using geography in analyses.
- Video 1: Incorporating Geography into NSECE Analyses: An Overview: This webinar presents an overview of how geography is built into the NSECE design and data files.
- Video 2: Incorporating Geography into NSECE Analyses: Linking Geography-based External Data: Part 1 of this interactive workshop series focuses on linking NSECE to non-NSECE data such as policies or contextual information.
- Video 3: Incorporating Geography into NSECE Analyses: Defining Communities in the NSECE: Part 2 of this interactive workshop series focuses on using the NSECE sample design to define communities relevant for ECE analysis.
2019 NSECE Making Comparisons Webinar Series
- This series of three webinars provides information about the 2012 and 2019 archived NSECE data sets. The webinars share strategies for how to: review documentation to ensure comparability of measures; choose statistical measures (e.g., mean vs median); handle both discrete and continuous variables; use design variables to construct design-corrected standard errors; set up significance tests; and access the data.
- Video 1: Making Comparisons Using the NSECE: Comparing Across Survey Years: This webinar is a data training on comparing listed home-based provider estimates in the 2019 National Survey of Early Care and Education (NSECE) data.
- Video 2: Making Comparisons Using the NSECE: Comparing Subgroups: This webinar is a data training on comparing unpaid and paid unlisted home-based provider estimates in the 2019 National Survey of Early Care and Education (NSECE) data.
- Video 3: Making Comparisons Using the NSECE: Comparing Across Sample Types: This webinar is a data training on comparing workforce and listed home-based provider estimates in the 2019 National Survey of Early Care and Education (NSECE) data
- Technical Resource: Making Comparisons Using Data from the National Survey of Early Care and Education (NSECE) tutorial: This document provides guidance to anyone interested in comparing data from the 2012 NSECE and 2019 NSECE. It demonstrates how to effectively manage the NSECE's complex survey design to make comparisons (1) across two subgroups (e.g., listed paid home-based providers and listed unpaid home-based providers) within the 2019 NSECE and (2) across the 2012 and 2019 NSECE for the same sample type (listed home-based providers).
2012 NSECE Sampling Approach and Study Design
- This self-study tutorial covers the overall study design and sampling approach of the NSECE (PDF/PPT), including sample sources and the four NSECE surveys at the foundation of the NSECE data collection design. Highlighted topics include sample sizes, the use of provider clusters, geographic characteristics available, and the importance of weighting due to the study design.
- There is also an overview of the complex sample design and data collection utilized by the NSECE.(PDF research brief)
- ICPSR's Virtual workshop: Linking Administrative and Survey Data. This series uses the 2012 National Survey of Early Care and Education (NSECE) as its example survey for several of its discussions and exercises. This series includes six interactive videoconferencing sessions.
- Session 1: Workshop overview, types of data, and introduction to the NSECE Instruction.
- Session 2: Understanding administrative data types and managing linkage research projects.
- Session 3: Analytic purpose and feasibility of linking survey and administrative data.
- Session 4: Working with linked data: units of linkage, units of analysis, and measurement differences.
- Session 5: Linkage and Disclosure Protection
- Session 6: Budgeting, evaluating different opportunities and research designs, possible linkage ideas
2012 NSECE Data Files and Documentation
- The data files and documentation are described in detail in this self-study tutorial (PDF/PPT). The slides describe the type of variables available in each of the five categories of data files the NSECE will offer: Quick Tabulation, Public Use, Level 1 Restricted-Use Questionnaire, Level 2 Restricted-Use Geographic, and Level 3 Restricted-Use Identifying. In addition, types of documentation and the information they contain are described here.
2012 NSECE Statistical Analysis Topics
- Statistics derived from the NSECE study without proper weighting adjustment will result in biased estimates. The Design-corrected Variance Estimation of NSECE Statistics Brief offers programming examples on how to calculate two common statistics—totals and percentages—accounting for survey design variables.
- The PSU and Cluster Weights User Guide describes key elements of the NSECE sampling methodology, including Primary Sampling Units for the household and listed center- based and home-based providers, Secondary Sampling Units for the household sample, and the Provider Cluster.
- Constructing Center-Based Cluster-Level Metrics to Use in Household Level Analysis: A Tutorial for NSECE Data is aimed at researchers interested in using NSECE to carry out analysis of local-level interaction of supply and demand of Early Care and Education. The tutorial is composed of a self-study guide and six CSV data files that illustrate the process of creating cluster-level aggregates using Center-based providers and how these metrics are integrated into the NSECE Household dataset for analysis.
- The NSECE Calendar Data Tutorial (zip) provides a step by step description on how to restructure the NSECE data files to facilitate the creation of variables, how to interpret variables from the Household Survey file that contain key information related to the Calendar file, and how to create a variable at the child level that may be adapted to fit the user's specific needs. The tutorial is composed of a self-study guide and five CSV data files.
2012 NSECE Surveys
- The following self-study tutorials (PDF/PPT) focus on each survey used in the NSECE: the Center-Based Provider Survey, Workforce Survey, Home-based Provider Survey, and Household Survey. Several aspects of each survey are covered, including data collection, survey respondents, topics covered by the survey, levels of observation, and differences across the categories of files for the survey.
Various Concepts Captured in the 2012 NSECE
- Learning about ECE Providers using the 2012 NSECE: This 45-minute webinar features two guest research teams. Marcy Whitebook and Bethany Edwards from The Center for the Study of Child Care Employment (CSCCE) at the University of California, Berkeley present findings from "California's ECE Workforce: What We Know Now and the Data Deficit That Remains" and "The Early Childhood Workforce Index 2018." Erica Greenberg from The Urban Institute presents findings from "Are Higher Subsidy Payment Rates and Provider-Friendly Payment Policies Associated with Child Care Quality?" and "Segregated from the Start."
- What Can We Learn From Child Care Licensing Lists And Other State Administrative Data?: This 60-minute webinar features NSECE project director Rupa Datta discussing what can be learned from child care licensing lists and other lists of child care providers, such as state pre-K rolls, quality ratings system databases or Head Start directories in a location.
- Schedules of Work and Child Care in the NSECE: This video discusses the types of information available about parental work schedules in the NSECE, and outlines ways parental work data can be linked to children's non-parental care usage.
- Defining Type of Care in the NSECE: This 1.5 hour webinar features Rupa Datta discussing type of care definitions as related to those used in the National Survey of Early Care and Education (NSECE) data files, particularly the Household Survey, the Center-Based Provider Survey, and the Home-Based Provider Survey.
- Using Household and Provider Data to Measure Enrollment, Usage in the NSECE: This 15 minute video features NSECE Project Director, A. Rupa Datta, discussing the use of household and provider data to measure enrollment and usage in the NSECE.
- Type of Care in the NSECE: This 22 minute video features NSECE Project Director, A. Rupa Datta, and NSECE Senior Survey Director, Jill Connelly, discussing the various types of care arrangements explored in the NSECE.
- Age of Child in the NSECE: This 8 minute video features NSECE Senior Research Scientist Carolina Milesi discussing how age of child is captured in the NSECE.
- Prices and Cost in the NSECE: This 13 minute video features NSECE Project Director, A. Rupa Datta, discussing the different concepts of price of child care and cost of child care in the NSECE.
- Populating the Calendar File (CAPI Demo): This 18 minute video features NSECE Project Director, A. Rupa Datta, discussing and demonstrating the collection and of calendar data and creation of the calendar file.
- ECE Arrangements in the NSECE: This 1.5 hour webinar features A. Rupa Datta discussing the array of Early Care and Education arrangements that are available within the NSECE Household Survey.
- Levels of Geography in the NSECE: This 57 minute webinar features NSECE Project Director, A. Rupa Datta discussing levels of geography in the NSECE.
- Looking Forward to the Proposed 2019 National Survey of Early Care and Education Overview: A State Perspective: Planning is underway for a proposed 2019 National Survey of Early Care and Education! This webinar reviews uses of 2012 NSECE state data and describes ways for states to participate in the proposed 2019 NSECE, such as the provider sample frame supplement available for states.
Instruments
The most user-friendly version of the NSECE questionnaires can be found in Chapter 5 of the User's Guides developed for the 2012 public-use and restricted-use data files and in the User's Guide for the 2019 public-use data files. These guides provide variable-level documentation within the structure of the questionnaire so that data users can clearly see the relationships across the variables and the instrument used to collect these data. In addition to the questions asked during the survey, the guides also include explanations of skip patterns, differences by mode of data collection, and interviewer instructions.
The individual questionnaire files are also available to download using the 2012 and 2019 links above and provided below.
- Home-based Provider Questionnaire (for DS3, DS4, DS7)
- Center-based Provider Questionnaire (for DS2, DS6)
- Workforce Questionnaire (for DS1, DS5)
- Household Calendar Questionnaire (for DS8, DS9)
- Household Questionnaire (for DS5, DS6, DS10, DS11, DS15)
- Household Screener (for DS5, DS6, DS10, DS11, DS15)
- Home-based Questionnaire (for DS3, DS4, DS9, DS14)
- Center-based Provider Questionnaire (for DS2, DS8, DS13)
- Center-based Provider Screener (for DS2, DS8, DS13)
- Workforce Questionnaire (not applicable)