MCS Age 3 Sweep

Main dataset available via the UK Data Service [SN 5350]. Visit the UK Data Service website to access the data.

The Age 3 Sweep examined the physical, social and cognitive development of cohort members, alongside family context and circumstances, and preschool experiences.

Interviewers visited the cohort member’s home and conducted face-to-face interviews with both parents. Parents also answered some questions via self-completion. Topics covered included family composition, housing and local area, parental education, employment and income, parental health, parenting activities and attitudes. Information was also collected about the cohort member’s health, behaviour, development, leisure activities and pre-school education and childcare.

The following cognitive assessments were conducted by the interviewer with the cohort member: Naming Vocabulary (British Ability Scales) and four subtests from the Bracken School Readiness Assessment (Colours, Letters, Sizes and Comparisons).

Interviewers measured the height and weight of cohort members.

Parents took oral fluid from the cohort member by swabbing the inside of their cheek with a foam swab, for the purpose of measuring exposure to common childhood infections.

In England, up to two older siblings (aged 10-15) of cohort members did a short self-completion questionnaire. This was included to provide data for the National Evaluation of the Children’s Fund. Topics covered included leisure and extra-curricular activities, life at home, health, school, bullying and victimisation, and anti-social behaviours.

The interviewer completed a questionnaire about the neighbourhood the family lived in and the home environment.