Frequently asked questions
Who is conducting this study?
This study, the Extension to the longitudinal Study of Early Education and Development (SEED) (2021-2029), is being conducted by NatCen Social Research, the largest independent social research organisation in Britain, in collaboration with University College London, Durham University, University of Bristol and SQW. The study is funded by the Department for Education.
Previously, the Department for Education (DfE) had commissioned the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen), working with the University of Oxford, Frontier Economics and Action for Children to conduct the longitudinal Study of Early Education and Development (SEED) (2013-2021).
What would I have to do?
Taking part is completely voluntary and you can stop or opt out at any time. Taking part in the survey would involve completing a face-to-face survey of around 40 minutes. Your child would also complete a short 20-minute face-to-face survey. This would take place during the same interviewer visit and at a time that works for you.
What if I don’t want to take part?
If you do not wish to take part in this survey, please contact us at seed@natcen.ac.uk or call us on 0800 652 0157, quoting the reference number at the top of the letter or email you received and your name. Taking part in this study is completely voluntary and if you change your mind at any point, that’s fine.
How will the information I provide be used?
All the answers you give will be anonymised and treated in strict confidence. We will combine your answers with the answers you gave in the previous SEED interviews so that we can see how things have changed. The results will help the Government make decisions about education for children and family support in England. Anything you tell us is confidential. The survey results collected are for statistical purposes only – you or your child will not be identified in any reports or publications.