The Daycare Trust, in conjunction with Netmums, is surveying parents of three- and four-year-olds on how they access the free entitlement for nursery education.
The survey has been launched ahead of the extension to the free entitlement from 12.5 to 15 hours a week from next month.
Parents are being asked whether they have ever paid a top-up fee, how they are billed for childcare and what extras they pay for, such as trips or meals. Questions include:
- Has your childcare provider ever requested that you make a voluntary donation towards the free entitlement?
- Has your provider ever charged you for the full amount of care provided and then reimbursed you at a later date for the free hours?
- When you receive a bill from your provider, do they give a breakdown of the costs, clearly showing the 12.5 hours of care that are free?
The deadline for responses is 31 August. Findings from the survey are to be published in a report next month.
