Parents in York have given the city's childcare providers a big thumbs up as part of a major consultation to assess parents' needs.

The Childcare Sufficiency Assessment was commissioned by City of York Council as a requirement under the Childcare Act 2006. The statutory assessment involves consulting a range of groups on their childcare needs and comparing them to the provision available.

Nearly 700 responses were received from parents and carers between May and September 2007. They showed that the vast majority of respondents felt that childcare in York matches the needs of families in the city.

Key areas for improvement included:
- the cost of childcare
- opening hours and flexibility of providers
- areas of specific need for out of school provision
- care for children with disabilities and additional needs

Although the cost of out of school clubs in York was slightly lower than the national average, parents raised concerns about the cost of day nurseries, childminders and holiday schemes, which are all above the national average.

The survey showed that just over three per cent of families currently face difficulties in using private day nurseries. However, York is now offering additional support with childcare costs through two national pathfinder projects: Extended and Flexible funding for three and four years olds, which entitles families in York to access 15 hours of free early education per week for 38 weeks of the year.

Flexibility of providers was also an issues, and a number of families wanted nursery schools and classes to start earlier or finish later than they currently do.

However, parents rated the quality of childcare very highly, with 82 per cent of respondents labelling their childminding services as excellent.

The council's Early Years and Extended Schools Partnership will work with teams and agencies across the city will now work together to tackle the problems that were highlighted as a result of the assessment.

The Sufficiency Assessment is likely to be repeated every three years.