The charity has announced that it is working with the Department for Education and Department for Work and Pensions to help inform the review, and as part of this is undertaking a survey of its members and parents who use childcare.
However, unlike the Government’s consultation, which closes at the end of this month (31 August), the survey will remain open until 13 September, nearly two weeks later.
Nursery World reported on Monday (20 August) that there was unease among the sector about the timing of the Government’s Childcare Commission consultation, over the summer holidays and during the Olympics, and the questions, which practitioners have suggested are designed to get a specific response.
Simona Mckenzie, a childminder from Twickenham, said, ‘The September closing date on 4Children’s survey gives people who weren’t able to contribute to the consultation another opportunity.’
She added, ‘The charity’s survey is also a lot simpler than the questions in the consultation and there is space for explaining your answers.’
Anne Longfield, chief executive of 4Children, said, '4Children is pleased to be working with the Department for Education and the Department for Work & Pensions on the important Childcare Commission, looking at how to reduce the costs of childcare for working families without compromising the safety or quality of provision. Childcare provides a vital support to both parents and children – aiding development and playing a crucial role in helping parents work. We know that many parents are struggling to pay for childcare at the moment and reducing costs must be a priority.
'To inform the review, we are undertaking a survey to capture the views of people who use out-of-hours childcare and of those who provide it, which is vital to furthering our understanding of the pressing issues currently faced in the childcare sector. The insight this provides will be key to the evidence we will submit to the departments on how the current system of childcare can be developed and improved. Our survey will run until September 13, and all responses submitted before the deadline will inform our consultation.'