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Childcare Sufficiency Audit
Here are the latest Childcare Sufficiency Documents undertaken during 2010-2011:
CSA Document 1 Summary.pdf
CSA Document 2 Main body report and Findings.pdf
CSA Document 3 Section 1 Parent Survey Findings.pdf
CSA Document 3 Section 2 Focus Group Findings.pdf
CSA Document 3 Section 3 Childrens Network Research Report.pdf
CSA Document 3 Section 4 Views of Children and Young People.pdf
CSA Document 3 Section 5 Lone Parent Findings.pdf
CSA Document 3 Section 6 Employer Findings.pdf
CSA Document 3 Section 7 Nursery Provider Consultation.pdf
CSA Parent Survey.pdf
In 2010/11, Sure Start County Durham asked parents and carers about their childcare use and the needs they might have for the future. This independent research was built on a similar project conducted in 2008.
As with the 2008 study, the information collected helped support the creation of strategies designed to provide services for mams, dads and carers of children under 5 in all areas of County Durham.
Questionnaire
The main purpose of the Childcare Sufficiency Audit was to identify gaps in the sufficiency of childcare provision, a requirement set out in the Childcare Act. The process was driven by a key requirement to identify as fully as possible the supply of childcare provision and the demand of families for these services, to uncover any unmet need.
To help assess the demand, a large scale survey of over 1000 parents and carers was undertaken, principally on a face to face basis, but also online.
This was supported by a series of focus groups, where particular groups of parents were identified as likely to be under represented. Sessions were held with younger parents, fathers, parents and carers from areas which feature highly in terms of IMD ratings (Index of Multiple Deprivation), parents and carers of chidlren with additional needs (some of whom had additional needs themselves) and parents from a non White british background.
Consultation with lone parents was also carried out, in partnership with Jobcentre Plus, with over 100 parents responding to a supported questionnaire.
The views of employers were also sampled, again in partnership with Jobcentre Plus, with over 50 employers responding to a questionnaire. The views of providers were sampled through the Day Nursery Network which is supported by the County Council.
The demand picture was informed by evidence from the Families Information Service's telephone and email logs, for example levels of childcare enquiries from parents and records of any written correspondence between the Local Authority and parents regarding childcare sufficiency.
By comparing the supply information with the detailed demand picture built up by this extensive range of consultation, a picture was then built up on an area by area basis of whether or not the provision of local childcare was sufficient.
Previous Documents
Childcare Sufficiency Audit 
Annual Review 2009.pdf
Childcare Strategy Childcare Strategy 08-11.pdf
Sustainability Strategy SSCD sustainability strategy 09-11.pdf
If you have any questions about the study or would like to find out more, either contact us or call the Families Information Service free on 0800 9172917.
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