The results of the biggest survey of childcare demand in Darlington in ten years have been released.
The survey carried out for the Children’s Services department has been used to assess whether there is enough childcare provision in the Borough and to plan how childcare for children up to 15-years-old (17-years-old for those children with disabilities) will be developed in the future.
573 parents living in Darlington, with a total of 878 children, took part in the telephone survey. They were asked a series of questions, including what their ideal care arrangements would be and if they had encountered any problems when trying to get childcare. We also met with parents of children with a disability, teenage parents, local children and a group of local employers to find out what they think of childcare in Darlington.
The survey revealed that parents are generally satisfied with the childcare on offer but some suggestions were made for areas that could be improved.
These included more after-school clubs, breakfast clubs, holiday play scheme and homework clubs as well as better childcare facilities for those children and young people with disabilities or special needs.
We've pulled the findings together in this Childcare Sufficiency Assessment and on pages 52 to 54 you can read the Local Authority's Childcare Sufficiency Action Plan which will help us provide sufficient inclusive, good quality, affordable child care for children and young people in Darlington.
This action plan will be up-dated as feedback around childcare sufficiency is gathered on an on-going basis from service users and providers. If you would like to comment on the findings or about childcare in the Borough generally, then please e-mail Nicola Davies, Early Years Projects Officer at nicola.davies@darlington.gov.uk.
If English is not your first language and you would like more information about this document, or if you require information in large print, Braille or on tape please contact the Children’s Information Service on 0800 9172121
