£50,000 childcare poll

Researchers are being called in to help Oldham Council assess whether there is enough childcare across the borough.

The £50,000 survey is needed to meet government targets. There will be 1,500 interviews with parents and carers, paid for by the Sure Start and Early Years grant.

The council has a duty of care to make sure, as far as reasonably possible, it has enough childcare for people who want to work or study. The research is a requirement by the Department for Children, Schools and Families. Oldham’s first Childcare Sufficiency Assessment in 2008 was classed as an example of good practice by the Government Office North-West.