Many current social policy initiatives are ground-breaking and highly innovative but to become accepted practice need to demonstrate their success and impact through clear evidence-based outcomes.

At Melyn Consulting we have significant experience in collecting and collating social and economic data that informs planning, leads development and carries a clear message to decision makers and funders.

We are also skilled and experienced in the collection and collation of qualitative data through: facilitation of focus groups; large-scale surveys; structured interviews; database design; socio-economic research; analysis and community consultations with families, children, local communities, employers and hard to reach groups. We also undertake project evaluations, community audits, feasibility studies and reports.

Duties in Section 11 Childcare Act (2006) require local authorities to undertake a childcare sufficiency assessment that will feed into the Children and Young People’s Plans.

Melyn Consulting is an experienced, independent organisation with a proven track record in helping local authorities meet the sufficiency challenge.

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In 2009, we extended the analysis from just looking at the extent of registered childcare places to placing this within the context of potential demand fore childcare -  in line with the requirements of the Childcare Act (2006) in analysing childcare sufficiency.

Summary of 2009 findings

• Following a sharp decline in 2007-08, the number of registered childcare places rose in 2008-09. Full daycare places continued to account for most of the increases in childcare with existing settings increasing their capacity and some new provision being created. Previous declines in Childminding and Sessional Care were reversed in 2008-09.

• While the amount of childcare increased in the majority of local authority areas, some lost significant amounts of provision – mainly of out of school childcare. Areas such as Camarthenshire, Neath Port Talbot, Blaenau Gwent and Merthyr Tydfil lost over a fifth of all registered places for school-aged children. With benefit changes requiring more lone parents with older children to seek work, this loss may create significant problems, especially in communities where worklessness is an issue.

• Compared with the population of children in Wales, the amount of childcare also increased between 2008 and 2009 to where there are now 14.2 childcare places for every 100 children aged 0 to 14. This compares with 14.75 places in England and 20 places per 100 children in Scotland.

• The link between deprivation and childcare supply has become more perceptible with the gap in levels of childcare between the most deprived and the least deprived areas of Wales increasing.

• The amount of childcare available for pre-school children that is able to support working parents increased between 2008 and 2009. This was mainly due to more day nursery places becoming available. The amount would probably be greater if wrap-around childcare provided by ‘playgroup plus’ settings could be quantified.

• The Sessional Care sector expanded in 2008-2009 and remains prevalent in rural and Welsh-speaking areas. In many other areas, sessional playgroups are expanding their services to meet the needs of working parents but the lack of sessional care in South Wales may restrict the ability of the daycare market to develop here given that there is little infrastructure to build on.

• Demand for childcare is likely to be greatest in areas of Wales where economic and social conditions are favourable. In most of these places, the childcare market is functioning and there is already a higher than average level of childcare.

• Gaps in childcare are most likely to be in deprived and rural areas where often there is little demand to stimulate the development of additional supply. If childcare is to play its part in breaking down barriers to employment and support action to tackle child poverty, then there are areas of Wales where sustained intervention in the childcare market is needed.

Analysis of the Supply of Childcare in Wales 2009

Analysis of Registered Childcare Places 2007

Analysis of Registered Childcare Places 2006

Analysis of Registered Childcare Places 2005