Parents and carers across Cardiff are being asked to help shape the future of childcare in the city, by taking part in a survey that is open until 30 November 2026.
Cardiff Council is carrying out its Childcare Sufficiency Assessment, a statutory review undertaken every five years to understand whether local childcare provision meets the needs of families. The current assessment runs from 2022 to 2027, so the answers gathered now will feed into the next one.
Who can take part?
Families with children aged 0 to 17 are being asked to share their experiences of finding, accessing and using childcare. It isn’t just about nurseries. The survey covers all types of childcare, including registered childcare provision as well as nannies, au pairs and some activity and sports clubs, so if your child goes to an after-school club or a weekend sports session, your experience counts too.
What happens to the answers?
The information gathered will help the Council build a detailed picture of local childcare needs, identify gaps in provision, understand the barriers families face, and inform future planning and investment in childcare services across Cardiff.
The findings will also contribute to the Welsh Government’s understanding of childcare needs across Wales and help inform future policy development.
“Far more than a place for children”
Cabinet Member for Children’s Services and Safeguarding, Cllr Ash Lister, said: “Childcare is about far more than providing a place for children while parents and carers work. High-quality childcare gives children opportunities to learn, play and explore, helping them develop the confidence, communication, social and emotional skills that provide the foundations for later life.
“The early years are a crucial stage in a child’s development, and positive experiences during this time can have a lasting impact on their wellbeing, learning and future outcomes. That’s why it is so important that we understand whether childcare provision across Cardiff is meeting the needs of local families.
“By sharing their experiences through this survey, parents and carers can help us identify what is working well, where there may be gaps in provision and how childcare services can continue to evolve. Every response will help inform future planning and investment, ensuring children across Cardiff have access to the opportunities and support they need to thrive.”
How to have your say
The survey sits on the Welsh Government’s consultation website, ymateb.gov.wales (ymateb is simply Welsh for “respond”). Questions are in Welsh and English, and the first one asks which local authority you live in, so choose Caerdydd / Cardiff from the list.
Take part in the Childcare Sufficiency Assessment survey. The survey closes on 30 November 2026.
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