The independent survey found all but one of the 15 English localauthorities surveyed are confident they will be able to fulfil theirduty to assess whether childcare services are meeting local needs byApril 2008.
But many respondents said they would like more information and support'such as a concrete definition of how many childcare services would besufficient. Get Sufficient, the partnership behind the survey, alsofound authorities would like data such as tax credit access and localdemographics to be made available. While authorities said they wouldconsult with parents and children when assessing childcare, none saidthey would be speaking with employers.
Caroline Masundire, development director of Ci Research which is part ofGet Sufficient, said this was a worry. "The impact of the local labourmarket and the terms and conditions of employment have a direct effecton the childcare needs of a parent," she said. "Authorities need to feelconfident and perhaps further support and resources are needed."
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