Millennium Cohort Millennium Cohort StudyStudy

Consultative Conference Consultative Conference on Content of Age 3 Sweepon Content of Age 3 Sweep

CLS, Institute of Education, CLS, Institute of Education, London UniversityLondon University

funded byfunded byESRC and ONS-led Govt ESRC and ONS-led Govt

DepartmentsDepartments

The story so farThe story so farSweep 1Sweep 1Children born in a 12 month period: from Sept 2000 (England and Wales) from Dec 2000 (Scotland and Northern

Ireland)

Interviews when child 9-10 months old

Main interview (mother) 75 minutesPartner interview (father) 30 minutesTotal contact time 105 minutes

Sample size and Sample size and structurestructure

380 localities (electoral wards) disproportionately sampled to over-represent disadvantaged areas, high ethnic minority populations and Celtic fringe.

Expected interviews by end of fieldwork approx 18,500

Response in field among eligible ca 83%

Overall response ca 68%

Below target due to 8% fall in UK births

Objectives of Sweep 2Objectives of Sweep 21) To chart continuity and change since

the age of 9 months in the child’s family and parenting environment.

2) To chart the child’s transitions and adaptations to settings and relationships outside the immediate home and family.

3) To assess key aspects of the child’s physical, cognitive, social and emotional development.

Objectives (continued)Objectives (continued)4) To make comparisons with other

cohort studies, in the UK and elsewhere.

5) To maximize longitudinal potential for predicting and explaining future development.

6) To ‘recapture’ information not collected at the first sweep.

7) To provide comparative data for the National Evaluation of Sure Start

Objectives of this Objectives of this ConferenceConference

To retain the integrity of a longitudinal study while focussing on what is special about age 3

To prioritize and abbreviate topics (no room for long instruments!)

To clarify coverage on existing budget. List topics worthy of inclusion if funds are found.

To identify topics which can be deferred to next sweep (age 5) if necessary

Timetable for instrument Timetable for instrument development development counting backwards:counting backwards:

Fieldwork starts September 2003

Piloting & development Oct 2002- July 2003

Award fieldwork contract Sept 2002

Tender fieldwork contract June-July 2002

Finalize budget and broad content of survey with funders May-June 2002

Summarize academic views early May 2002

All presentations from All presentations from today’s conference can be today’s conference can be

viewed at the following web viewed at the following web address:address:

http://www.cls.ioe.ac.uk/Cohort/MCS/mchttp://www.cls.ioe.ac.uk/Cohort/MCS/mc

smainsmain

Written comments to Written comments to Denise Brown by end Denise Brown by end

AprilAprildb@cls.ioe.ac.ukdb@cls.ioe.ac.uk