Views on funded ELC

Of households using funded ELC, 91% were either very or fairly satisfied with it, similar to previous years. The proportion of households who were very satisfied increased from 57% in 2018 to 72% in 2024. 4% of households were fairly or very dissatisfied with it (Table 28 and Figure 3).

Figure 3 Level of satisfaction with funded ELC by year

Level of satisfaction with funded ELC received by households with an eligible child by year.

When asked about issues in using funded ELC, the most common reason was not enough funded hours to meet the household’s needs (13%). Lack of flexibility in days/times offered (9%) and not enough places available locally (7%) were other common issues noted (respondents were able to select more than one issue). 7% of households noted a lack of provision in the school holidays as an issue, although this has decreased from 19% in 2018. However, the majority of households (70%) stated that they had no issues with the funded ELC they were receiving (Table 29).