Overview
Executive summary
- This is a statutory, annual survey of current and potential childcare users. This year it was open for four weeks.
- It was very widely promoted to news outlets and partners, social media, staff, the public and councillors (who were also invited to share the information locally).
- The last survey in 2022 received approximately 1,500 responses. This year it has received 1,893 responses, almost 26% more.
- There were 1,893 respondents, of which 228 had children with Special Educational Needs or Disabilities (SEND).
- Most respondents, 68%, felt they had sufficient childcare to meet their current needs.
- The vast majority of those who felt they needed more childcare required after-school club places or holiday clubs.
- The cost of childcare was the most prohibitive factor.
- Over a thousand respondents, 1,380 (78%), did not know about the Family Services Directory as an online source of childcare.
- The majority, 1,680 (96%) were also unaware of the childcare gap form to inform Lincolnshire County Council of gaps in childcare provision.
- The most frequently made comment related to a lack of availability of childcare followed by the cost.
Introduction
The local authority has a duty to secure sufficient childcare to meet the demands of parents who work or wish to study or train. (Childcare Act 2006).
The Early years and childcare team has undertaken a parental survey as part of the statutory annual Childcare Sufficiency Assessment 2023.
The parent survey was published on Let’s talk Lincolnshire for parents or carers of children under 19 years of age to provide their views and experience of childcare in Lincolnshire.
The aim was to find out if the needs for childcare are being met across Lincolnshire. The service wanted to know if parents can access the childcare provision they need and when and where they need it. The information will help the team to plan new services that will benefit parents and children.
The page included useful links for help with:
- Childcare costs
- Information on Lincolnshire's local offer for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities and their families
Additionally, there was an audit survey on SNAP (information gathering survey) to childcare providers to provide information about their services.
The results from both surveys will formulate a report which will be shared with Lincolnshire County Council’s Directorate Leadership Team (DLT) in July 2023. Additionally, the results will feed into the Childcare delivery plan 2023-2025, which will be shared with DLT for approval in July.
Stakeholders
Public – Anyone who uses or is planning to use childcare services in Lincolnshire.
Methodology
A survey was open to the public on the homepage of Let’s talk Lincolnshire for four weeks from 24 April to 21 May 2023. The dates of this survey ran parallel to an audit that was being completed by childcare service providers.
Promotion was carried out via various methods:
- News releases were sent out to local media outlets
- Social media messages were sent out on the following pages: Lincolnshire County Council, Children’s Centres, Maternity Hub, 0-18 Children Health
- An article was put in the Town and Parish Council newsletter
- Email newsletters sent to childcare settings, children’s clubs, childcare groups, DWP contact, Let’s talk Lincolnshire registered participants, Lincolnshire Council for Voluntary Youth Services, Children’s Links, the LCC Ethnic Minority and Traveller Education team, YMCA Lincolnshire, LCVS/VCS, Shine network, Lincolnshire Military Veterans and Families Wellbeing Network, local health and wellbeing networks
- Messages were sent through the internal communications newsletter to all staff
- Email message to all councillors, asking them to help raise awareness of the survey and circulate the page link to their networks