PARENTS and carers of babies and toddlers under the age of two are being urged to complete a survey to help the planning of the county’s future early learning and childcare.

Families are being asked what childcare they currently use and what type of provision they might look for in the future.

That could include informal childcare from family and friends, private or council nursery, childminders, community group or a mixture.

The information, which is being gathered by East Lothian Council’s early years team, will be used to help determine overall provision in East Lothian ahead of children accessing their funded hours from age three (or from age two in some cases).

Emma Murray, early learning and childcare lead officer, said: “We work in partnership with funded private nurseries, childminders and community groups, as well as through our own settings, to provide a range of choices for parents and carers.

“We know that families with young babies and toddlers are juggling a lot of demands so we have ensured our survey is very quick and easy to complete.

“The responses will help us to understand what choices people may make in the future and help us plan a high-quality early learning and childcare service that recognises this demand.”

The survey is available at eastlothian.gov.uk/0-2-survey until February 9.