Democracy Spraffa

Item 09 Appendix

West Dunbartonshire Council · 26 November 2025
Back to Educational Services Committee — 26 November 2025 and its agenda

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* Required
West Dunbartonshire Council - Early Learning and
Childcare Consultation 2025 
All councils look to consult with people who are representative of parents and carers of children under school age in
their area about how they should make early learning and childcare available. This consultation must be carried out at
least once every 2 years. 
This survey aims to gather the views of parents/carers on how best we can offer high-quality, flexible Early Learning and
Childcare. This public consultation will be open from 1 November 2025 to 30 November 2025. 
The survey will take around 10 minutes to complete. There is no identifying information requested. If you would like to
discuss a personal situation or share identifying details, please reach out to us via email instead at earlyyearscas@west-
dunbarton.gov.uk
The resulting data will be collated by partner agency, The Improvement Service, and the analysis shared securely with
West Dunbartonshire Council. By completing this survey, you agree to the collection and sharing of your anonymous
responses as outlined above.
All about you and your family
Please provide only the first 4 digits e.g. DD3 2
What is your postcode? * 1.
1
2
3
4
5
6+
How many children do you have under 12 years old?2.
Appendix

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Under 2 years old
2 years old
3–5 years old
6+ years old
If you have more than one child, tick all the age groups that apply. For example, if your children are aged 2, 3 and
4, you would tick: “2 years old,” and “3–5 years old”.
Please select the age group(s) of your child(ren) under 12 years.3.
will access Early Learning and Childcare provision in the future
currently accesses Early Learning and Childcare provision
previously accessed Early Learning and Childcare provision
Other
Are you completing this survey as a parent/carer who: * 4.

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Previously Accessed Early Learning and Childcare
Please select at most 6 options.
2023/24
2022/23
2021/22
2020/21
2019/20
Earlier
Please let us know which academic year(s) you accessed Early Learning and Childcare5.
Please select at most 4 options.
Childminder
Council Nursery
Partner Nursery
Not Applicable
Which type of Early Learning and Childcare services did you use? (select all that apply)6.
Yes
No
Don't Know
Note, not everyone would be entitled to funded hours for their 2-year-old, there are additional eligibility criteria
that families would have to meet
Did your child attend a funded ELC place as a 2-year-old?7.

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Yes
No
Don't Know
Not applicable
Note: Between 2014 and 2021, eligible children were able to access 600 hours funded Early Learning and Childcare.
Since August 2021, this has risen to 1,140 hours 
Did you use all of your Early Learning and Childcare funded hours for your eligible 2-year-
old? 
8.
I feel my child is too young to be in full time Early Learning and Childcare
I prefer to spend more time with my child at home
My child wouldn't like to be away from me
Provision on offer didn't meet the additional support needs of my child
I didn't know how to access my full entitlement
I wasn't able to secure a suitable place
Other
Was there a reason that you didn't use all your Early Learning and Childcare funded hours
when your child was 2? 
9.
Yes
No
Don't Know
Did your child attend a funded ELC place as a 3-5 year-old?10.

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Please select at most 3 options.
To give my child new experiences and opportunities
To give my child access to a wider range of toys, books and resources
To support positive behaviour with my child
To help get my child ready for school
To allow me or my partner to work or look for work
To allow me or my partner to study or complete training
To give me or my partner time for rest or relaxation
To allow me or my partner to look after other children
To allow me or my partner to care for a relative or friend
Other
Choose up to three 
What were the main reasons for using your funded Early Learning and Childcare hours for
your child aged 3-5? 
11.
Yes
No
Don't Know
Not applicable
Did you use all of your funded Early Learning and Childcare hours for your child aged 3-5? 12.
I feel my child is too young to be in full time Early Learning and Childcare
I prefer to spend more time with my child at home
My child wouldn't like to be away from me
Provision on offer didn't meet the additional support needs of my child
I didn't know how to access my full entitlement
I wasn't able to secure a suitable place
Other
Was there a reason that you didn't use all of your funded Early Learning and Childcare hours
for your child aged 3-5? 
13.

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To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements?14.
Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
I was able to
access my
preferred Early
Learning and
Childcare provi
der/nursery
I was able to
secure
attendance on
days and at
times that suit
my needs
I am happy with
the quality of
the Early
Learning and
Childcare servic
e I use

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Currently Accessing Early Learning and Childcare
Please select at most 4 options.
Childminder
Council Nursery
Partner Nursery
Not Applicable
Which type of Early Learning and Childcare services do you use? (select all that apply)15.
Yes
No
Don't Know
Not Applicable
Note: not everyone would be entitled to funded hours for their 2-year-old, there are additional eligibility criteria
that families would have to meet
Is your child currently attending a funded ELC place as a 2-year-old? 16.
Yes
No
Don't Know
Not Applicable
Note: Since August 2021, eligible children are able to access 1,140 hours funded Early Learning and Childcare. This
includes all 3- and 4-year-olds and some 2-year-olds, depending on circumstances.
Do you use all your Early Learning and Childcare funded hours for your eligible 2-year-old? 17.

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I feel my child is too young to be in full time Early Learning and Childcare
I prefer to spend more time with my child at home
My child wouldn't like to be away from me
Provision on offer didn't meet the additional support needs of my child
I don't know how to access my full entitlement
I wasn't able to secure a suitable place
Other
What is the main reason you are not using all all of your Early Learning and Childcare funded
hours for your eligible 2-year-old? 
18.
Yes
No
Don't Know
Not Applicable
Is your child currently attending a funded ELC place as a 3-5 year-old? 19.
Please select at most 3 options.
To help get my child ready for school
To give my child new experiences and opportunities
To give my child access to a wider range of toys, books and resources
To support positive behaviour with my child
To allow me or my partner to work or look for work
To allow me or my partner to study or complete training
To give me or my partner time for rest or relaxation
To allow me or my partner to look after other children
To allow me or my partner to care for a relative or friend
Other
Choose up to three
What are the main reasons for using your funded Early Learning and Childcare hours for your
child who is aged 3-5?
20.

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Yes
No
Don't Know
Not applicable
Note: Since August 2021, eligible children are able to access 1,140 hours funded Early Learning and Childcare. This
includes all 3- and 4-year-olds and some 2-year-olds, depending on circumstances.
Are you using all your funded Early Learning and Childcare hours for you child aged 3-5?21.
I feel my child is too young to be in full time Early Learning and Childcare
I prefer to spend more time with my child at home
My child wouldn't like to be away from me
Provision on offer didn't meet the additional support needs of my child
I don't know how to access my full entitlement
I wasn't able to secure a suitable place
Other
What is the main reason you are not using all of your funded Early Learning and Childcare
hours for your child aged 3-5?
22.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements?23.
Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
I was able to
access my
preferred Early
Learning and
Childcare
provider/nurser
y
I was able to
secure
attendance on
days and at
times that suit
my needs
I am happy with
the quality of
the Early
Learning and
Childcare
service I use

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Future Use of Early Learning and Childcare
Yes
No
Maybe
Do you plan to use funded Early Learning and Childcare in the future?24.
Yes
No
Maybe
Note: Not everyone would be entitled to funded hours for their 2-year-old, there are additional eligibility criteria
that families would have to meet)Since August 2021, eligible children are able to access 1,140 hours funded Early
Learning and Childcare. This includes all 3- and 4-year-olds and some 2-year-olds
Do you expect to use all your Early Learning and Childcare funded hours for your child when
they are 2-years-old ( if eligible)?
25.
I feel my child is too young to be in full time Early Learning and Childcare
I prefer to spend more time with my child at home
My child wouldn't like to be away from me
Doesn't meet the additional support needs of my child
I don't know how to access my full entitlement
Lack of suitable choice or hours near me
Other
What would be the main reason you might not use all your Early Learning and Childcare
funded hours for your eligible 2-year-old? 
26.

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Please select at most 3 options.
To help get my child ready for school
To give my child new experiences and opportunities
To give my child access to a wider range of toys, books and resources
To support positive behaviour with my child
To allow me or my partner to work or look for work
To allow me or my partner to study or complete training
To give me or my partner time for rest or relaxation
To allow me or my partner to look after other children
To allow me or my partner to care for a relative or friend
Other
Choose up to three
What would be the main reasons for using funded Early Learning and Childcare hours for
your 3-5 year old? 
27.
Yes
No
Maybe
Note: Since August 2021, eligible children are able to access 1,140 hours funded Early Learning and Childcare. This
includes all 3- and 4-year-olds and some 2-year-olds, depending on circumstances.
Do you expect to use your full entitlement of 1,140 hours per year of funded Early Learning
and Childcare for your 3-5 year old? 
28.
I feel my child is too young to be in full time Early Learning and Childcare
I prefer to spend more time with my child at home
My child wouldn't like to be away from me
Doesn't meet the additional support needs of my child
I don't know how to access my full entitlement
Lack of suitable choice or hours near me
Other
What would be the main reason you might not use all of your Early Learning and Childcare
entitlement for your 3-5 year old? 
29.

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Understanding Awareness
How strongly do you agree or disagree with the following statements?30.
Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
I understand
my entitlement
to funded Early
Learning and
Childcare
I know how to
apply for
funded Early
Learning and
Childcare hours
in a Council
nursery
I know how to
apply for 
funded Early
Learning and
Childcare hours
in a partner
nursery,
playgroup or
with a
childminder

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Types of Early Learning and Childcare Service
Session time based in line with the current school day during term time
Afternoon sessions offered over the full year
Morning sessions offered over the full year
Two and a half days per week offered over the full year
Other
There are a number of attendance patterns in which 1,140 hours funded early learning and
childcare can be offered. Rank these options in order of your preference from most to least
preferable.
31.
It best fits my work/study/training pattern
I have another child attending school
It best fits with my existing childcare arrangements
Other
Why would you choose this attendance pattern?32.
Partner Nursery 
Childminder
Council Setting (this may include services based in primary schools and stand-alone services)
Mixed Provision (child attending more than one place over the course of a week and funding is split between
them)
Playgroup
There are a number of places in which 1,140 hours funded Early Learning and Childcare can
be accessed. Rank these options in order of your preference
33.
Please do not enter any personal/identifiable information here.
Is there another option that would suit you and your family better?34.

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Yes
No
Maybe
Would accessing all or part of your child's entitlement of funded Early Learning and
Childcare hours in another local authority area be something you might require? 
35.

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Application Process
Already aware from having used Early Learning and Childcare with an older child
Family or Friends
Health Visitor
Local newspaper
Nursery 
School
Social Media
Council website
Other
How did you find out about applying for an Early Learning and Childcare place for your
child? 
36.
Very Easy
Quite Easy
Quite Difficult
Very Difficult
How easy was it to access your child's Early Learning and Childcare funded hours?37.
Please do not enter any personal/identifiable information here.
If you have not found it easy to access your child's funded Early Learning and Childcare,
please tell us about this and anything which could have supported or helped you.  
38.
Please do not enter any personal/identifiable information here.
What information would you have liked to receive to help you with the Council Early
Learning and Childcare application process?
39.

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My child's grandparents
Partner
Relative
Friend or neighbour
Private nursery
Does your child/children who are not yet eligible for funded Early Learning and Childcare,
receive childcare from any of the following people, include both childcare you pay for and
childcare you don’t pay for. 
40.

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Summary Comments
Please do not enter any personal/identifiable information here.
Please note any further comments about Early Learning and Childcare in the box below. 41.

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