Childcare survey for young families

Families in Darlington are being urged to fill in a survey on their current and potential future childcare needs.

The council has commissioned a research company to gather residents’ views on early childcare and education in the borough.

The survey focuses on childcare for pre-school aged children. It has been paid for out of ring-fenced funding provided by the Department for Education (DfE).

Everyone who takes part in the survey will be eligible to win one of four £50 Early Learning Centre vouchers to spend on education and play materials for their child.

Councillor Cyndi Hughes, Cabinet member for children and young people, said: “It is important that families can access good quality, affordable and accessible childcare should they need to use it.

“We want to hear parents’ and carers’ views about the childcare and early education their young people receive.

“With pressures on the children’s services budgets in Darlington increasing, I was pleased the Council was able to secure ring-fenced DfE funding to carry out this important survey.

“The research will show us whether families can access high quality childcare when they need to, so I would urge as many people as possible to fill in the survey and share their views.”

Postal surveys were sent to a random selection of households, while the survey is also available to complete online.

Although the survey is aimed at households with young children, the recent introduction of GDPR legislation has led to a very small number of ineligible households receiving the survey.

To share your views, visit https://www.research.net/r/YHPZ3NF