Childcare surveys – help us to support you

Parents of young children – we want to hear about the childcare that you need.

In 2024, there are several changes being introduced nationally that will expand the funded childcare offer for working parents of young children as well as parents of children who are at primary school.

So that the council, schools and providers can offer the best service right across the city, we’re asking parents to share their childcare intentions as the changes are rolled out or as their children become eligible in two short surveys.

The changes to funded childcare are:

• From April 2024 – working parents of two-year-olds can access 15 hours of funded childcare.

• From September 2024 – working parents of children aged nine to 23 months can access 15 hours of funded childcare.

• From September 2025 – working parents of children aged nine months upwards can access 30 hours of funded childcare per week, right up to their child starting school.

Also, from September 2024 there will also be an increased offer of wraparound care. Wraparound means before- and after-school childcare for youngsters who are at primary school, including breakfast and after-school clubs.

Wraparound care will not be funded but parents eligible for Tax-Free Childcare or Universal Credit Childcare will be able to use that support to help pay for wraparound care.

Both surveys are quick to complete – no more than five minutes – and you are not asked to share any identifying details.

• Funded childcare expansion

• Wraparound

Both surveys are open until 26 April.

For more information on childcare support sign up to the Childcare Choices newsletter.