Midlothian Parental Survey of Out of School Hours Childcare Provision for Children Aged 4+ - Oct 2024

Closed 22 Nov 2024

Opened 28 Oct 2024

Contact

0131 271 3713

CLL@midlothian.gov.uk

Feedback updated 14 Oct 2025

We asked

We are seeking the views of parents and carers on the accessibility, availability and use of out of school hours childcare provision for children aged 4+ in Midlothian. This includes paid care such as After School Clubs and childminders and any other out of school hours childcare you currently use, or have used, in the last 12 months.

You said

403 people responded. The feedback highlighted the importance of out of school care (OSC) services within communities in supporting access to work, training or study and the value parents place on it.

Areas for note:

  • there is not enough OSC service provision in Midlothian to meet current demand.
  • there is a particular lack of OSC services for children with complex additional needs.
  • some parents find the hours offered by OSC services do not fit their working pattern, leading to reducing or adapting their working hours to be able to access childcare. This has an impact on income and career progression.
  • for some parents, the costs of out of school childcare are not affordable. This is not limited to parents on the lowest incomes.

We did

Midlothian Council are looking to appoint someone to take forward the next steps of the review.

Results updated 14 Oct 2025

403 people responded.

Overview

We are seeking the views of parents and carers on the accessibility, availability and use of out of school hours childcare provision for children aged 4+ in Midlothian. This includes paid care such as After School Clubs and childminders and any other out of school hours childcare you currently use, or have used, in the last 12 months.

The survey will take you approximately 5 minutes to complete.

Confidentiality

All the information provided in this survey will be confidential and no information with any personal details on participants will be disclosed.

PLEASE NOTE: Questions regarding access to financial support for families and carers are included in this survey. If  you would like information on funding available for paid out of school hours and other childcare, please feel free to look at funding support on the Midlothian Council website.

Why your views matter

Your response will help us to:

  • identify any challenges parents and carers face when seeking this type of childcare;
  • identify what additional support might be helpful;
  • plan for future provision.

Your views are important, and we would appreciate if you could take the time to complete this survey. Please answer all questions that are relevant to your situation.

Areas

  • All Areas

Audiences

  • Parents/Carers

Interests

  • Education