Data Training Resources from the NSECE: The Data

Questions about the data files or documentation? Email the NSECE team at nsece@norc.org

OPRE is sponsoring an NSECE Users’ Group to provide a forum for researchers to learn from one another and to help the NSECE team develop the most useful technical assistance materials. You can join the mailing list for the group.

Available data files and how to access them

The NSECE data will be available in three different configurations and at two different restricted levels. Users can reference the 2012 NSECE Data Files Overview, the 2019 NSECE Data Files Overview, and the COVID NSECE Data Files Overview to determine which level of access is right for them.

Downloadable Quick Tabulation Files
These files are specifically designed for easy, off-the-shelf use without extensive investments in data management or review of documentation. The project team has developed them as a resource for agency staff, policy firms, and researchers who would like to become familiar with the NSECE data or answer quick-turnaround policy-relevant questions for which tabulations are needed.

2019 NSECE

  • Home-based Unlisted Provider Quick Tabulation File (DS3)
  • Home-based Listed Provider Quick Tabulation File (DS4)
  • Center-based Provider Quick Tabulation File (DS2)
  • Workforce Quick Tabulation File (DS1)

2012 NSECE

  • Household Child-level Quick Tabulation File (DS5)
  • Household Quick Tabulation File (DS6)
  • Home-based Unlisted Provider Quick Tabulation File (DS3)
  • Home-based Listed Provider Quick Tabulation File (DS4)
  • Center-based Provider Quick Tabulation File (DS2)
  • Workforce Quick Tabulation File (DS1)

2019 NSECE Quick Tabulation Manuals

2012 NSECE Quick Tabulation Manuals

Downloadable Public-Use Files
These public-use data files are the most comprehensive set of downloadable files that include nearly all of the questionnaire response data along with a number of created variables and community characteristics data that will facilitate analysis on key Early Care and Education topics. They will be of interest to a wide audience of researchers investigating various topics related to Early Care and Education in the United States.

NSECE COVID-19 Longitudinal Follow-up

  • Workforce Cumulative Public-Use
  • Center-based Cumulative Public Use
  • Home-based Cumulative Public Use Data File (DS9)

2019 NSECE

  • Household Calendar Public-Use Data File (DS8)
  • Household Public-Use Data File (DS9)
  • Home-based Public-Use Data File (DS7)
  • Center-based Public-Use Data File (DS6)
  • Workforce Public-Use Data File (DS5)

2012 NSECE

  • Household Calendar Public-Use Data File (DS10)
  • Household Public-Use Data File (DS11)
  • Home-based Public-Use Data File (DS9)
  • Center-based Public-Use Data File (DS8)
  • Workforce Public-Use Data File (DS7)

COVID-19 Longitudinal Follow-up User’s Guides

2019 NSECE User’s Guides

2012 NSECE User’s Guides

Restricted-Use Files (Level 1 and 1a)
In addition to the Quick Tabulation and Public-Use Files named above, the Child and Family Data Archive (CFData) also provides access to the 2012 and 2019 NSECE Level 1 and NSECE COVID-19 Longitudinal Follow-up Level 1a Restricted-Use Files. The restricted-use files include questionnaire response data with limited disclosure risk as well as additional community characteristics data that will facilitate analysis on key Early Care and Education topics. In 2012, the “R” symbol in the User’s Guide identifies there is a restricted-use variable that contains additional information than shown for the public-use version of the variable. In 2019 and COVID-19 Longitudinal Follow-up data, restricted-use variables are documented in the Level 1 and Level 1a manuals, respectively. These files will also be of interest to a wide audience of researchers investigating various topics related to Early Care and Education in the United States.

COVID-19 Longitudinal Follow-up Level 1a Restricted Use Data Files

  • Workforce Level 1a Restricted-Use Data
    • Workforce Cumulative Level 1a Restricted-Use Data File (DS2)
    • Workforce Wave 1 Level 1a Restricted-Use Data File (DS3)
    • Workforce Wave 2 Level 1a Restricted-Use Data File (DS4)
  • Center-based Provider Level 1a Restricted-Use Data
    • Center-based Provider Cumulative Level 1a Restricted-Use Data File (DS6)
    • Center-based Provider Wave 1 Level 1a Restricted-Use Data File (DS7)
    • Center-based Provider Wave 2 Level 1a Restricted-Use Data File (DS8)
  • Home-based Provider Level 1a Restricted-Use Manual
    • Home-based Provider Cumulative Level 1a Restricted-Use Data File (DS10)
    • Home-based Provider Wave 1 Level 1a Restricted-Use Data File (DS11)
    • Home-based Provider Wave 2 Level 1a Restricted-Use Data File (DS12)

2019 NSECE Level 1 Restricted-Use Files

  • Workforce Restricted-Use Data File (DS1)
  • Center-based Provider Restricted-Use Data File (DS2)
  • Home-based Provider Restricted-Use Data File (DS3)
  • Household Data Restricted-Use Data File (DS4)

2012 NSECE Level 1 Restricted-Use Files

  • Household Restricted-Use Data File (DS15)
  • Home-based Restricted-Use Data File (DS14)
  • Center-based Restricted-Use File (DS13)
  • Workforce Restricted-Use File (DS12)

COVID-19 Longitudinal Follow-up Restricted-use Data File Manuals

2019 NSECE Restricted-use Data File Manuals

2012 NSECE User’s Guides

Levels 2 and 3 Restricted-Use data files
The original project team at NORC at the University of Chicago will provide access to the Levels 2 and 3 Restricted-Use data files, subject to approval by NORC and OPRE. These files may include state and county identifiers as well as linking variables for cluster-level analyses and county- and cluster-level sampling. For more information, please see the access instructions for NSECE Levels 2/3 Restricted-Use Data (pdf).