Earlier this year, we asked parents and carers to help us shape future childcare provision in Dorset.
More than 866 people responding to the survey, and work is now underway to provide the best possible solutions for childcare settings in the county.
Additional charges for early years educational places and opening hours were an issue for some parents.
Affordability was also seen as a factor as well as lack of suitable local childcare options before school, after school and holiday care for children with special educational needs (SEND).
As a result, Dorset Council is working with local providers to ensure parents have the facts about charges and information about all available funding.
We are also working with providers and encouraging them to review their opening hours to better meet the needs of working parents and increase provision of pre-school, after school and holiday clubs for both younger and older children in the county.
We also aim to increase the availability of provision for children and young people who have SEND and clearly signpost them on what’s available in their local area.
Cllr Andrew Parry, Dorset Council Portfolio Holder for Children, Education and Early Help, said:
“We are working with local providers to improve services and make sure they are flexible, sustainable and cover the needs of the local community. A big thank you to all who took part in the survey, which is helping to shape future provision in Dorset.
“I also want to thank our early years’ providers for responding to the government’s call to continue to maintain childcare provision for many of the vulnerable children in Dorset and parents who are key workers during the pandemic. “
View the Childcare Sufficiency Assessement for 2020-2021.
You can keep up with our progress on all these action points by:
