TALIS Starting Strong 2024 used one questionnaire for ECEC staff (SQ) and one for ECEC leaders (LQ). In addition, a combined version of the questionnaire was used for settings in which the leader also had staff duties (CQ-Main or CQ-M). Another combined version of the questionnaire was used for single-person settings where the respondent was working alone (CQ-Short or CQ-S). All four of these questionnaire versions were the same regardless of whether respondents were working with the ISCED 02 target population or in settings for children under age 3.
TALIS Starting Strong Methodology and Data
From this page you can download technical documents for TALIS Starting Strong as well as public use data. The files available on this page include questionnaires, conceptual frameworks, technical reports, user’s guides and data files in several formats.
Questionnaires
TALIS Starting Strong 2018 used two main questionnaires: one for ECEC staff (SQ) and one for ECEC leaders (LQ). Slightly different versions of the questionnaires were prepared for the ISCED 02 target population and for the ECEC settings for children under age of 3. For each of these target populations, a combined questionnaire (CQ) was also developed to be used in small settings where only one individual would be able to respond to the staff and leader questionnaires. An additional longer version of this combined questionnaire (CQ+) was developed for a specific context in Israel ISCED 02 centres, where ECEC leaders also always have staff duties.
TALIS Starting Strong data
Public use files (PUFs)
Conceptual Frameworks
Starting Strong Teaching and Learning International Survey 2018 - Conceptual Framework
The Starting Strong Teaching and Learning International Survey 2018 is an international survey of staff and centre leaders working in early childhood education and care (ECEC), administered in ECEC centres belonging to ISCED Level 0.2, and, as an option, centres providing services for children under the age of 3. The Conceptual Framework provides an integrated theoretical and analytical underpinning to the survey that articulates its research foci and links to existing knowledge and evidence and policy questions. The key themes include those mainly concerned with: ECEC staff-child interaction (process quality of staff child interaction and monitoring and assessment of children’s development, well being and learning); ECEC centre characteristics (structural quality characteristics, pedagogical and administrative leadership, climate, and stakeholder relations); ECEC leader and staff characteristics (background and initial preparation, professional development, well-being, professional beliefs about children’s development, well-being and learning, and self efficacy); and the cross-cutting theme of equity and diversity in the child group.
Starting Strong Teaching and Learning International Survey 2024 - Conceptual Framework
The OECD Starting Strong Teaching and Learning International Survey (TALIS Starting Strong) is the first international survey that focuses on the early childhood education and care (ECEC) workforce. The TALIS Starting Strong 2024 conceptual framework builds on foundations established in 2018 and links the survey’s areas of focus and policy questions to existing knowledge.
Key themes in the framework include staff practices with children, staff and leader education, professional development, well-being and job satisfaction, as well as terms of employment and intent to stay in the profession. It also addresses themes related to diversity in ECEC settings, providing comprehensive child supports, fostering competent settings, and the use of digital technologies to support staff and leaders, all in the context of setting resources and leadership and structural features.
Methodology and manuals
TALIS Starting Strong 2018 technical report
This technical report details the steps, procedures, methodologies, standards and rules that the Teaching and Learning International Survey (TALIS) 2018 used to collect high-quality data. The primary purpose of the report is to support readers of the international and subsequent thematic reports as well as users of the public international database when interpreting results, contextualising information and using the data. A user guide complements this technical report and provides detailed guidance and examples for individuals using TALIS 2018 data.
TALIS 2018 and TALIS Starting Strong 2018 User Guide
This guide provides information about the OECD Teaching and Learning International Survey (TALIS) 2018 and TALIS Starting Strong 2018 international databases. It sets out requirements for analysis and provides examples of analyses for researchers who would like to understand and replicate the analyses conducted for the international reports of both studies.
TALIS 2024 Technical Report, Version 2
Final version, including the Teacher Knowledge Survey, forthcoming in Q2 2026
TALIS 2024 User Guide, Version 2
Final version, including the Teacher Knowledge Survey, forthcoming in Q2 2026