Richmond childcare Sufficiency Assessment 2014 - Parent Carer Survey

Overview

 The Childcare Act 2006 places a duty on English local authorities to improve outcomes for children and young people, to secure sufficient childcare and to provide information about the various forms of childcare available to them.

Councils are required to undertake a Childcare Sufficiency Assessment (CSA) every year in order to identify gaps in the childcare market, so that a plan can be produced with an outline of how to support the local market and ensure sufficient childcare provision.

The CSA focuses on formal registered and formal unregistered childcare provision wherever possible, and involves childcare for 0 to 14 year olds, and up to 18 year olds for children with disabilities and/or special educational needs.

Childcare Sufficiency is more than just making sure there is ‘enough’ childcare. It is also about:

• Making sure that the childcare is available, accessible and affordable so that parents have the opportunity to use childcare in their area
• Making sure it’s of good quality so that it benefits the child
• Providing parents with a choice of childcare so they can choose the childcare that meets their needs

We are currently talking to parents, carers and childcare providers to collect information for the Childcare Sufficiency Assessment for Richmond that takes into account significant changes in Government policy including amendments to the welfare benefits system, the expansion of Early Education Funding Entitlement (EEF) for eligible 2 year olds and the revised Code of Practice for funded 2, 3 & 4 year olds to gauge the amount, quality and accessibility of childcare in the borough with a view to updating our plan for childcare provision that is sufficient, flexible and meet the unique needs of families.

Your views are important to shaping the plan and we invite you to have your say by completing and submitting this questionnaire by 28 September when the assessment survey closes.

If you would like any more information or a paper copy please contact Anita Board, using email address or  telepone number provided in the contact details.