Parents and carers encouraged to tell Derbyshire County Council about their childcare needs

Parents and carers are being encouraged to share their experiences of using childcare, nursery places and holiday clubs in a Derbyshire County Council survey to assess demand and availability.

The council wants to hear from families who use, and who may in future need, all types of childcare for their babies and children aged up to 14 and up to 18 for children with additional needs. 

Responses will help the authority build a clearer picture of what’s currently available and how families are finding and accessing places since national funding changes introduced last year created significant changes in the childcare market in Derbyshire.  

The Government began expanding childcare support for eligible working parents in April 2024 by introducing 15 hours of funded childcare for two-year-olds as part of a phased rollout aimed at reducing children’s qualifying age for 30 hours of childcare to include all pre-school children.

The final stage of the rollout starts next month (September 2025) to introduce 30 hours for babies in eligible working families from the term after they turn nine months old.

Derbyshire County Council Cabinet Member for SEND and Education Councillor Jack Bradley said: “Changes to national funding over the last year have changed the childcare market locally and we want to understand how families are being affected in finding the places they need, how easy it is to find information and any other challenges they may face.

“Before taking up my Cabinet Member role I worked in nurseries looking after children from the age of two so understand just how much childcare supports families and how much attending a nursery can help children get a good, early start to their education and help them learn how to make social bonds and friendships.

“We know how difficult the home, family and work juggle can be for some families with pre-school children and appreciate funded childcare can be a lifeline to many parents and carers.

“We’d really appreciate as many views as we can get from Derbyshire families to form a clear picture of the current childcare market and childcare needs locally and what they may be in the next few years. Knowing more about how people find and afford childcare will help us improve how information and services are provided. 

“Just giving a few minutes of your time to complete our survey and share your own experiences will make a big difference for everyone. Thank you.”

Meanwhile, the Government aims to expand access to before and after school ‘wraparound’ care for all primary-age children by September 2026.

Parents and carers who use childcare now, or might need it in future, are encouraged to complete the survey before Sunday 31st August 2025 here.