Workplace Childcare Survey

Transcription

1 THE COUNTY COUNCIL OF THE CITY AND COUNTY OF CARDIFF Prepared by Workplace Childcare Survey November 2006

2 This document was produced by the, at Cardiff Council. The operates research services that include the collection, analysis and interpretation of statistical data together with demographic and economic forecasting, and dissemination of Census and other published data, as well as operating a research service for Public Sector clients. In addition, can undertake specialised studies on a wide range of topics relating to planning, development, social, economic and demographic subjects. Further details of the activities undertaken and a list of publications can be obtained from: Steve Jarman OM, Research & Community Engagement Siôn Ward Research & Information Demography & Economy Deprivation & Poverty Rhys Haines Employment/Unemployment Chris Batsford Census & GIS Services Lee Clarke Research & Information Claire Griffiths Surveys & Consultation Helen Jones Questionnaire Design Alison Jones Cardiff Citizens Panel Rhian Were Social Research Yin Yiu Hau Database Management Andrew Grills Web Design Mark Goddard Graphic Design Mike Roberts Multimedia Design For further information of queeries please contact: Brenda Davis Childcare Projects Officer Ty Gwyn Annexe Ty Gwyn Road Penylan Cardiff CF2 5JG Tel: Fax: Mobile : bj.davis@cardiff.gov.uk

3 WORKFORCE CHILDCARE SURVEY INTRODUCTION Cardiff Council currently operates a family friendly policy and endeavours to assist staff in the maintenance of a healthy work/life balance. As part of this policy the Council currently has childcare places available at three locations around Cardiff: 26 places each at County Hall and City Hall along with a small number at Lilliput Day Nursery based in Government Building on St. Agnes Road. Although it is difficult to estimate the number of Cardiff Council employees with children the Employee Childcare Survey 2006 identified 613 staff members with at least one child. Therefore demand for these places is extremely high with a total of 80 staff currently on waiting lists. This survey was carried out by Schools and Lifelong Learning to as a small follow up to the employees childcare survey undertaken during February 2006 by the Day-care Trust for the EQUAL project. The purpose of this follow up being to ascertain if those parents responding to the earlier consultation remain interested in acquiring a nursery place if a childcare voucher scheme were to be introduced. AIMS & OBJECTIVES To ascertain the level of parental preference for childcare facilities at their place of work To ascertain the level of parental preference for childcare facilities close to their home To determine the level of demand at each of the Council s sites To determine the level of support for the introduction of a childcare voucher scheme that would enable parents to use the childcare facility of their choice. METHODOLOGY Schools & Lifelong Learning circulated a survey by post to all eighty members of staff who are currently on waiting lists to access a childcare place for their child/ren in one of the Council s workplace nursery facilities. A total of 38 completed surveys were collected from Council staff.

4 RESULTS Firstly parents were posed with the question that If a childcare voucher was introduced enabling you to use a childcare facility of your choice would you prefer to use one of the Council s work place nurseries? The table and chart below show approximately three-quarters of those parents responding to confirm that they would prefer to use a workplace nursery. Yes No TOTAL Would you prefer to use one of the Council 's work place nurseries? No 27% Yes 73% Those responding that they would prefer to use a workplace nursery facilities were further asked which of the current facilities would be their first choice. The table and chart below shows the majority of those responding (67%) to have a preference for a childcare place at County Hall Nursery. A further 22% opted for nursery facilities available at City Hall and the remaining 15% specified Lilliput Day Nursery. County Hall Nursery City Hall Nursery 6 22 Lilliput Nursery 4 15 Percentage If 'yes', which facility would you prefer to use? 67 County Hall Nursery 22 City Hall Nursery 15 Lilliput Nursery

5 Again referring to the introduction of childcare vouchers that would enable parents to use a childcare facility of their choice staff were asked if their preference would be to use a childcare facility close to their home. The table and chart below show over two-thirds of staff to express a preference for using a childcare facility close to their home. Yes No TOTAL Would you prefer to use a childcare facility close to your home? No 32% Yes 68% The table below shows the percentage of staff living within or outside Cardiff expressing a preference for using a childcare facility close to their home. It can be seen that there is very little difference in staff s preference for facilities close to their home 69.2% of those living outside Cardiff compared to 68.0% living within Cardiff. Cardiff Outside Cardiff Yes No TOTAL Staff were finally asked the question Do you think that the Council should increase the availability of workplace nursery places across the city? The table below shows staff to be almost unanimous (97%) in their belief that the Council should increase the availability of workplace nursery places across the city. Yes No 1 3 TOTAL

6 A total of 27 staff who responded to the survey provided additional comments relating the Council s provision of workplace childcare places. Eleven members of staff made comments relating to the increased cost of Cardiff Council s childcare facilities and the implications of this increase on the childcare provisions they choose to use: examples of these comments can be seen below. [I] was horrified when I was notified of the sudden and vast increase in day care fees. due to this increase it is likely that I will have no choice but to chose a nursery closer to home. a full time place may not be possible for us as it would take just a few pounds short of my whole wages. I have been on the waiting list at County Hall for 2 years and have just been offered a place for my daughter but the prices are now more than where she is at the moment. I may have to consider a career break if the cost of childcare increases. The Council fees are now well above those available at local private nurseries the Council is no longer an attractive offer. Staff also made reference to the length waiting times for a childcare place with the Council and the need for more childcare facilities to accommodate this demand for places. Have tried to get a place, have waited 18 months but still no places, I d like to have my children close to work.. I was disappointed to hear that the waiting list for County Hall was so long. Even though we have been on the waiting list since I was 6 months pregnant for a full time place we still have not heard about a place yet. The waiting list for Council workplace nurseries is ling could they open another? The Council should provide subsidised childcare which is available for all employees. Currently there are too few places! Several members of staff pointed out that the lack of sufficient affordable childcare is prohibitive in returning to work: There is no incentive for people with children to return to work at an affordable price. It is a major element of considering actually returning to work I believe the number of places needs to increase dramatically to ensure the return of quality staff. Many of the comments indicated a willingness to support the use of the voucher scheme; however this appeared to be dependent on a number of factors: [I] agree with a voucher scheme if private nursery is funded as well, parents should have a choice if no Council places are available.

7 I have no experience of the nurseries yet, but if they proved to be of a high standard then I would use them with the voucher scheme. I would like the opportunity of use childcare vouchers and hope the Council will make this available to staff. I think childcare vouchers should be available to all employees to use with the childcare provider of their choice. I would prefer a voucher as I am not work based near any of the nursery sites also I no longer live in Cardiff so would vouchers be valid in other boroughs? I feel the introduction of childcare vouchers and a salary subsidy mechanism would assist all working parents across the Council. One staff member commented that their child s first language is Welsh and they would not therefore consider using Council childcare facilities as they have no Welsh language provision. The table below shows the breakdown of respondents by Service Area. The highest percentage (21.1%) of respondents work in Schools & Lifelong Learning, followed by Financial Services (15.8%), and Culture, Leisure & Parks (13.2%). Adult Services & Health Children's Services Clerk to the Council Communications Culture, Leisure & Parks Financial Services Housing & Neighbourhood Renewal Human Resources Information & Communication Technology Legal & Democratic Services Policy & Economic Development Projects, Design & Development Schools & Lifelong Learning Scrutiny, Change & Efficiency Strategic Planning & Environment Transport, Infrastructure & Waste Management TOTAL