Executive summary
In February 2025 we engaged with parents and carers to ask about how childcare in Lincolnshire meets their needs. Our goal was to understand whether local childcare works well for families with children aged 0 to 11 years.
We gathered the information through a survey which was widely promoted through:
- news outlets
- partners
- social media
- staff
- the public
- councillors (who were also invited to share the information locally)
The key findings from the survey are below. More detailed data can be found in the findings section of this report.
- access to childcare is working well for the majority of families, with 82% reporting their needs are met
- childcare is essential for the majority of respondents in order to remain in the workforce
- while a small number of parents were unable to access the childcare they needed, their feedback has provided valuable insights to help shape future improvements:
- Day nurseries were especially sought after for younger children, with some parents highlighting cost and limited availability as key challenges
- For children aged 4 to 11, holiday care emerged as a significant need, with parents noting gaps in availability on specific days and times
- 137 (13%) of the respondents told us they had children with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND)
- 73% of all respondents said they access government support to help pay for childcare
- most parents reported that they learn about available childcare provision primarily through word of mouth or online searches
- when we asked parents about the cost of childcare, opinions were mixed:
- just over half (54%) said it was expensive
- 40% felt it was reasonably priced
- a small number (6%) said it was low cost
- nearly a quarter of families (24%) shared that the expanded childcare entitlement has had a meaningful impact - enabling them to:
- start work
- return to employment
- increase their working hours