Why are we doing this?

Hello. We're consulting on the provision of childcare in Denbighshire.

Every five years the Council undertakes an assessment of the childcare available in Denbighshire to determine that:

• Enough childcare is available now and for future needs
• That the childcare being provided is fit for purpose

Childcare means to look after children where parents or carers aren't able to do so full time. This can include:

• Full day care, such as at a nursery or creche for a period of four hours or more
• Sessional day care, such as at a nursery or creche for a period of less than four hours
• Out of school care, such as breakfast clubs and after school clubs
• Childminding services
• Nannies / Au Pairs
• Open access play provision, short-term childcare in a 'play setting' which can include play centres, adventure playgrounds, playschemes and parks

What the assessment found:

The latest Childcare Provision Assessment took place between November 2021 and March 2022. To complete the assessment the Council worked with Welsh Government, schools, private employers, childcare providers and parents/carers of children who might need childcare.

You can download the full assessment document below:

Childcare Provision Assessment 2021-22

To view a hard/paper copy of this document, please visit:

The Oak Tree Centre, Ffordd Las, Rhyl, LL18 2DY

A very short summary of the key findings/concerns can also be read below:

1. Childcare in Denbighshire is difficult to access. The assessment found that although the childcare available was high in quality, it was not adapting to meet the needs of parents/carers and many found that they could not work full time and access appropriate childcare.
    
2. There is low take-up of funded childcare placements. Just over 50% of the available placements were taken up at the time the assessment was conducted.
    
3. Recruiting and retaining staff is an issue. The assessment found that the Covid-19 pandemic had caused a large number of staff to leave the industry and retrain elsewhere, and these staff had not returned as national lockdowns were eased.
    
4. There is a perceived lack of Welsh childcare available. This is largely caused by a difficulty in accessing training through the medium of Welsh, and because Welsh-speaking staff are difficult to recruit
    
5. There is inadequate provision for children with additional needs or disabilities. Parents/carers and childcare providers all felt there is a lack of 1-1 support and provision in general for children with additional needs or disabilities, with a lack of flexibility, affordability and even places available

What do we want to know?

We would like your feedback on the assessment. Your views will help us to shape our plan for the next 5 years.

Are the findings accurate? Do you have suggestions as to how we can work to address some of the issues or concerns raised as a result of the assessment?

To take part in the consultation, please get in touch with us in one of the following ways:

• Email fis@denbighshire.gov.uk
• Complete the online feedback form
• Write to: Families Information Services, The Oak Tree Centre, Ffordd Las, Rhyl, LL18 2DY

The closing deadline for all responses is 5th August 2022

Location: Denbighshire County Council

• Start date 08 July 2022
• End date 05 August 2022
• Methods Consultation Document, Questionnaire - Online
• Supplier Denbighshire County Council

What we found out

What difference has it made?

Related documents

• Denbighshire County Council Childcare Sufficiency Assessment Draft Report (3625 KB)
• Cyngor Sir Ddinbych Asesiad o Ddigonolrwydd Gofal Plant Adroddiad Drafft (3699 KB)