Working parents in Wirral are being urged to participate in a childcare survey to help map the demand for families accessing childcare in the area. The survey is being conducted by Wirral Council to gather information on how families currently use childcare and how they plan to use the 15 hours of free childcare for working families of two-year-olds, which was announced in the Chancellor’s Spring Budget for 2023.
The survey comes as the government has pledged to bring in increased free childcare for working families. The expansion to childcare will be rolled out nationally on a staggered timeline to allow early education and childcare providers to prepare for the changes and increase staff. It will also give local authorities the opportunity to ensure that enough places are available to meet the anticipated demand.
Councillor Sue Powell-Wilde, chair of Wirral’s children, young people, and education committee, emphasized the importance of gathering data from families to ensure that the extra free childcare can be accessed by local families who want it. By understanding how families currently use childcare and their plans for utilizing the additional hours, the council can plan and make necessary arrangements to meet the demand.
Parents with children aged nine months to school age will eventually be eligible for 30 hours of childcare, subject to qualifying criteria, by September 2025, according to the government’s budget. The eligibility criteria for the expanded childcare hours will match the existing offer for 3-4-year-olds.
Councillor Powell-Wilde encourages all parents who are eligible to take the survey and provide valuable input on the use of childcare in Wirral. She recognizes that finding time as a busy parent can be challenging, but emphasizes the significance of the survey in reviewing and planning the childcare landscape in the area.
The survey responses will help determine how childcare usage may change as the expanded funded hours are rolled out. This information will then be used to review the current childcare supply in the borough and make necessary arrangements to meet the potential demand for additional places in the future.
Wirral Council aims to ensure that families across the area have access to the free childcare they are entitled to and wants to gather as much information as possible to plan ahead and ensure enough places are available. Support is available for anyone who needs further information, a paper copy of the survey, documents in another format, or telephone support to complete the survey.
The survey is an essential step in ensuring that working parents in Wirral can benefit from the increased free childcare hours. By understanding the demand and plans for utilizing childcare, the council can make informed decisions and allocate resources effectively to meet the needs of local families. The information gathered will contribute to a comprehensive review of the current childcare supply in Wirral and help shape future plans.
Overall, the survey is an opportunity for working parents in Wirral to have their voices heard and contribute to the development of childcare services in their area. The council encourages all eligible parents to participate in the survey, as their input will be instrumental in shaping the future of childcare provisions in Wirral.
