Childcare Survey
Each year, Bexley Early Years Team carry out an annual childcare sufficiency survey and produce the Bexley Childcare Sufficiency Report.
If you are a parent using a Bexley childcare setting, or looking for childcare in Bexley please take part and let us have your views.
Phases
Results of 2025 survey
Results of the Childcare Survey 2025
Thank you for all those that took part in our 2025 Childcare survey. We had almost 167 responses from parents or guardians. 76% had children aged 4 and under (including pregnancy), 71% had children aged 5-10, and 23% had older children (11+). Multiple children in different age groups are included.
Around two thirds use (or intend to use) formal childcare. For those that did not, cost was the most frequent reason (for 34%). However, half chose to provide other reasons such as children being older and using after-school care, working from home, other support such as grandparents and eligibility issues.
Do you currently use or intend to use formal (paid for or funded) childcare?
Whilst almost a half found finding childcare easy, a quarter had some difficulty, a further 10% found it difficult and 1% were unable to find childcare. The remainder were not looking for childcare or hadn’t yet looked.
For those who had difficulty, 72% said cost was a factor. A further 41% said childcare was unavailable where it was needed and 38% said the hours were unsuitable. Respondents could choose as many as appropriate.
Nursey care (both private and school nursery), childminder and school run/out of school care were all popular with similar demand.
Please indicate the type(s) of childcare you use or are/would be looking for?
Many parents and guardians (43% of those using childcare) are accessing the 30 hrs working parenting entitlement, with 35% also accessing tax free childcare.
Please let us know what childcare support you are or would be accessing (if you are eligible)?
Of those with children with special educational needs, 85% were able to find suitable childcare that can meet their needs.
Comments at the end of the survey included:
- Limited availability of nursery places long waiting lists, and a lack of childminders in certain areas. Cost was frequently mentioned as a significant barrier.
- Families with children who have special educational needs reported challenges, including a lack of wraparound care and unclear pathways for support. There were also requests for more specialist support, such as speech and language therapy.
- Other issues raised included confusing application processes and criteria and problems with childcare timings not matching parents’ needs.