Childcare and Wellbeing in Times of Covid-19
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Childcare and Wellbeing in Times of Covid-19: Developing Crisis-resilient Care Solutions
IRAS ID
292164
Contact name
Ingela Naumann
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Edinburgh Research Office
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
IN_UKRI_Covid19, Edinburgh University internal; ES/V0154351/1, UKRI/ESRC reference number
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 9 months, 29 days
Research summary
The purpose of the study is to assess the impact of Covid-19 on families’ childcare arrangements and wellbeing.
Government-measures such as lockdown, social distancing, school and childcare closures have proved successful in reducing the spread of Covid-19 and its burden on healthcare systems. At the same time, they exacerbated intense childcare challenges for many families with young children, particularly for families in vulnerable circumstances.
This study will collect rich new data on how Covid-19 has affected families’ childcare arrangements and wellbeing, by undertaking in-depth interviews with parents living with young children and identifying the specific experiences and childcare needs of families in different circumstances. The aim of the study is to generate new evidence to support policymakers and third-sector organisations in developing crisis-resilient childcare solutions that can protect family wellbeing during this pandemic and beyond.
Drawing on qualitative research-methods, the study is designed to reflect the importance of obtaining breadth, depth and data-sufficiency at pace. Using purposive sampling techniques, the sample-frame includes the recruitment of 48 parents from families with children aged 1-12, in two local settings – one rural/one urban - including parents from different socio-economic backgrounds, with protected characteristics, different household structures and parental occupations, including key workers. Comparing experiences of key worker families to those staying at home during lockdown will build in an evaluative element concerning the emergency childcare measures implemented by national and local government in Scotland.
Interview-participants will be recruited through the NHS Research Scotland, SHARE database. Each participant will be asked to attend one 45min online-interview, using a variety of digital platforms to suit the participants’ preferences. Using themed coding, the study will develop a typology of childcare arrangements and specific childcare needs of different groups of families.
Carried out December 2020-May 2021, the study-results will feed into a larger 12-months ESRC-funded project based at Edinburgh University.REC name
North West - Greater Manchester South Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
20/NW/0486
Date of REC Opinion
19 Jan 2021
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion