About the statistics

1. Administrative information

1.1. Name

Survey of households payments in kindergartens

1.2. Subject group

04.02.10 - Day-care centres, preschools

1.3. Frequency and timeliness

The survey is done twice a year and results are published about a month after the survey period.

1.4. Regional level

Published on regional and national level.

1.5. Responsible division

240 - Division for Price Statistics

1.6. Legal authority

The Statistics Act of June 16, 1989 number 54, §§2-1, 2-2 and 2-3

1.7. Legal document(EU)

Not relevant.

1.8. International reporting

Not relevant.

2. Background and purpose

2.1. Purpose and history

The main purpose of this statistics is to describe the development in the households' payments in public and private kindergartens. The survey is a part of the Consumer Price Index and was established in 1985. The survey measures the kindergarten payments per 15.January and 15.August every year and is included in the January and August Consumer Price Index. As of 2004 the aggregated rates of change are weighted, as opposed to previous surveys. From 2007, data for public kindergartens will be gathered electronically from the municipalities through KOSTRA, and as of january 2010 there is approximately a full count of all municipalities. 

2.2. Users and applications

The survey is used to follow the development in the kindergarten fees on a regional- and national level. The statistics are primarily used as a sub-index of the Consumer Price Index.

3. Statistics production

3.1. Population

The survey contains all of Norway's municipalities. The municipalities were asked regarding the following:

In addition, the survey contains approximately 250 private kindergartens, which are asked to give the same information for full time offers.

3.2. Data sources

Questionnaire and electronic reporting.

3.3. Sampling

From January 2007, data for public kindergartens will be reported electronically through KOSTRA, which means that all the municipalities will be included in the survey. The selection of private kindergartens was done through random sampling, after stratifying the population by geographical areas.

3.4. Collection of data

Both the municipality and the private kindergartens report twice a year, with deadlines in January and August. The municipalities report electronically while the private kindergartens report by questionnaires. Letters of reminder are sent out and telephone calls/e-mails are made if necessary.

3.5. Control and revision

The data from both the public and public kindergartens are controlled in SAS program. The data is checked with earlier reported data to find possible deviation. Strong deviations are checked either through Internet or per telephone.

3.6. Estimation

The index for yearly payments including additional costs for children over three years is calculated for public and private kindergartens. The index for public kindergartens is based on both full and part time offers while the private kindergarten index is based on full time offers. The kindergarten fees both in public and private kindergartens are measured in accordance to the municipalities' or kindergartens own payment system. The weighted index is also computed for children in both public and private kindergartens.

3.7. Confidentiality

Data collected from firms and households are subject to secrecy and are to be kept or destroyed in a secure manner. Any use of the data must be in accordance with the rules set out by the Norwegian Data Inspectorate.

4. Concepts, variables and classifications

4.1. Definitions of the main concepts and variables

Flat payment system: all households pay the same kindergarten fee.

Income differentiated payment system: kindergarten fees paid are based on the household's income.

Households' payments in kindergartens: private households' expenses for children in kindergartens.

4.2. Standard classifications

Regional and national level.

5. Sources of error and uncertainty

5.1. Measurement and processing errors

Sources of error has not been mapped out and mistakes can be made while filling out the questionnaire. Mistakes that are discovered are corrected during the revision period. The municipal data are collected electronically and tests are made for possible errors.

5.2 Non-response errors

The response rate from municipalities is higher compared to private kindergartens. The response rate within the set deadline is around 60 per cent for private kindergartens. However the response rate from private kindergartens increases to around 90 per cent after letters of reminder are sent out.

5.3. Sampling errors

Skewness: Statistics Norway has not done any calculations of skewness for the survey.

5.4. Other sources of error

Not relevant.

6. Comparability and coherence

6.1. Comparability over time and space

Rates of change for public kindergartens from 1992 to 2006 are based on a sample of 109 municipalities. From August 2007, the rates of change will be based on data from all municipalities. The questionnaires were also revised from January 2007 with additional information, for example additional fees.

6.2. Coherence with other statistics

The change rates are incorporated into the Consumer Price Index and are based on the same material as the report sent to the Ministry of Education and Research.

7. Availability

7.1. Publications and other links

The statistics are published electronically on SSB's homepages.

http://www.ssb.no/english/subjects/04/02/10/barnegenend_en/

7.2. Microdata

The material is stored in Unix.


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