Childcare sufficiency assessment

Since April 2008, the Government has placed a statutory duty on all local authorities to ensure that there is sufficient childcare in their area. This means that all parents and carers should have access to childcare in order to remain in, or return to, work or education. As part of this duty, all local authorities are asked to carry out a Childcare Sufficiency Assessment.

Childcare Sufficiency Assessment (CSA) 2011

We have completed our second full CSA assessment which details the supply of childcare across Buckinghamshire and compares this to the demand for childcare from parents and carers.

Consultation has taken place to establish demand for childcare with:

• parents and carers
• childcare providers
• employers
• nannies
• children
• other partner organisations

This process is to identify any gaps in childcare provision, makes recommendations for closing these gaps and will provide the basis for an ongoing Action Plan. The final CSA Report and Summary documents are now available by clicking the links below. Hardcopies of these documents are also available in Children’s Centres, main libraries, District Councils and via the Family Information Service. To provide your feedback, please click here.

BCC Childcare Sufficiency Assessment 2011 – full report

BCC Childcare Sufficiency Assessment 2011 – summary

If you require any further information or advice about childcare issues please contact Buckinghamshire Family Information Service.

Headline results 2011

Despite a lower response rate, key factors affecting parents reflect the findings from the first assessment in 2008:

• An almost even split of those parents who felt there was enough childcare compared to not enough in Buckinghamshire
• Parents were happy overall with the quality of provision
• A need for more holiday and after school care for older children and children with disabilities
• Parents value the benefits of childcare, particularly for social development
• Affordability and flexibility of appropriate childcare in the right location are key issues - transport and cost can be serious barriers
• The majority of employers (83.6%) felt that childcare issues had no, or no significant impact on their businesses
• Children enjoy taking part in active and outdoor play, making friends, learning new skills, group activities and they felt safe

Action Plan and Updates

We are also required to undertake interim updates of the assessment on an annual basis. We will be producing updated supply information on the website every six months (May and November) and will update the action plan and progress to date on an annual basis (May) which can be found below.

Buckinghamshire CSA Action Plan 2011-14

Parents Childcare Forum

All parents and carers are invited to join the Parents Childcare Forum. To find out more and register to take part, go to the Parents Childcare Forum webpage.

Current information on the supply of childcare

This information is provided in Primary School Planning Areas to give a localised picture and is updated in May and November. This includes colour coded maps and charts showing the coverage, i.e. childcare places per 100 children and shows areas with a high or low level of childcare provision. These are available below, showing provision for the whole of Buckinghamshire and also by individual planning areas.