Policy
Council to ask parents if local childcare provision is sufficient
A survey being carried out on behalf of Devon County Council aims to find out if local childcare provision is meeting the needs of parents and carers.
Around 2,000 parents and carers of children aged from birth to 14, and disabled children aged up to 17, will be asked about childcare provision in Devon and whether it meets their needs.
Councillor Andrea Davis, Devon County Council's cabinet member for Children and Young People's Health and Wellbeing, said, 'We want to make sure there is enough suitable, quality childcare for parents who are working or in education or training, and particularly for those on a low income, or who have a child with special needs.
'It is important that children and young people have an opportunity to express their views on childcare. They are the main users and beneficiaries of the services and their views and concerns need to be understood. Children will be spoken to in childcare settings, in schools and other groups such as the youth service.'
The survey findings, to be published as part of the Childcare Sufficiency Assessment in 2011, will be used by the council to identify and fill gaps in provision.
Most of the interviews, which began last week, will be carried out by the end of March, but a small sample of respondents will be invited to take part in a ten- to 15-minute face-to-face interview.
Children and young people, childcare providers, schools and local employers will also take part in Devon's Childcare Sufficiency Assessment as part of a children and young people's consultation.
Further information
