This case study describes the adoption of a mixed-methods approach to explore provision for 2-year-olds in England at a time when funding for free places for disadvantaged children became available. A literature review was carried out to find out about aspects of early childhood provision considered important for 2-year-old children's development, and data about experiences of providing places for 2-year-olds were collected from practitioners, managers, and decision-makers in four different regions using interviews, focus groups, and observations. A national online survey was also conducted yielding qualitative and quantitative data. The perspectives of different stakeholders were then synthesized in the final report to produce snapshots of best practice set in the context of national trends. The research was planned using a simple sequential design, in which findings from each stage would inform the subsequent stage. The short time scale allocated to the project, and the need to collect data at particular moments in time, enforced changes to the data collection processes. Implications for design and choice of methods to access different perspectives in a limited time frame are considered. [This content is provided in the format of an e-book.]