Daycare Availability in Melrose Survey

Section 1 - Demographics and current childcare arrangements

1.Do you currently have children (birth to 12 years) who require childcare? If yes, please specify their age(s).

2.What is your current childcare arrangement? (for example....spouse/partner, family member/friend, paid caregiver, home-based care, center-based care, preschool, before/after school program)

3.How far is your current childcare located from your home and/or workplace?

Section 2 - Needs assessment and challenges

4.Does your current childcare arrangement meet your needs? If no, please tell us why.

5.Have you had difficulty finding suitable daycare for your children in this city? If yes, how long have you been looking or how long did you look before you found an option?

6.What types of care are you seeking or were you seeking (for example...full-time, part-time, infant, toddler, school-age, specific hours, special needs accommodations)?

7.What are the main challenges you face regarding childcare? (for example... cost, availability, quality, flexibility, reliability, transportation)

8.What days and hours are you currently unable to work due to childcare availability?

9.When you considered your current childcare arrangement, or if you were seeking a new option, what features or services would be most important to you? (for example...specific hours, meals, transportation, care for sick children)

10.What is your preferred location for childcare (for example...near home, near work, along commute)? In-home, center, school-based program?

Section 3 - Impact on work and well-being

11.As a result of your caregiving responsibilities, have you considered reducing your work hours, leaving your job, or delaying returning to work? If so, share your concerns.

12.How does the availability, or lack thereof, of daycare impact your ability to work, pursue education, or other commitments? Please share your thoughts.

Section 4 - Support and solutions

13.What suggestions do you have to better support your family with childcare needs?

14.What types of accommodations would allow you to better balance your work and caregiving responsibilities? (for example.... flexible hours, subsidized childcare, backup care)

15.What changes or improvements would you like to see to address the daycare availability issues in the city?

16.Would you support initiatives like increased public funding for daycare subsidies, incentives for new providers, or streamlining licensing regulations? Please share your ideas and thoughts.

17.What role do you think the city government, businesses, or other organizations should play in addressing this issue?

Thank you for taking the time to answer these questions. We would like to hear as many voices as possible as we look at daycare availability in our city.

Would you be open to answering additional questions or participating in a meeting or conversations to work on these issues? If yes, please include your contact information below.

18.Contact information..... (and/or any final thoughts)

Thank you for taking the time to respond.
We appreciate your thoughts, concerns, and suggestions.