Early Years and Childcare Survey 2026

Social Care Wales is seeking an experienced supplier to design, deliver, analyse and report on the 2026 Early Years and Childcare (EYCC) Workforce Survey across Wales.

The sector includes over 2,800 registered settings and 15,000+ staff, and the survey will provide critical workforce intelligence to support Welsh Government policy, workforce planning, and sustainability.

Building on the 2025 survey, the 2026 iteration will maintain consistency for trend analysis while identifying opportunities for improvement. The supplier will be responsible for survey design review, hosting, data collection, analysis, and reporting, alongside supporting engagement to maximise response rates.

Key Requirements

• Digital: Secure, mobile-friendly platform with anonymised data collection, UK/EEA data storage, and real-time monitoring
• Bilingual: Full Welsh and English delivery with equal quality and compliance with Welsh language standards
• Accessibility: Inclusive design meeting accessibility standards, with user testing and alternative formats available

Objectives

• Deliver a robust, high-quality bilingual survey aligned with Welsh Government priorities (including Cymraeg 2050 and workforce sustainability)
• Achieve strong national participation across regions and service types
• Generate reliable data to inform policy and workforce planning
• Produce a concise, accessible report with key insights and trend analysis

Delivery Scope

The supplier will

• Review and refine survey questions (based on the 2025 survey)
• Host and administer the survey securely
• Lead communications and promotion activity (with support from Social Care Wales)
• Analyse anonymised data and provide actionable insights
• Deliver a short bilingual report (5–10 pages) and supporting datasets