Hartlepool Borough Council's cabinet will meet next week to discuss the childcare sufficiency assessment (CSA) which highlights a number of ways to improve child care in town.

The council is required by law to assess childcare provision. An action plan has been drawn up following discussions with parents and carers.

The Government has not outlined specific targets for Hartlepool, but a number of key factors have been highlighted in the action plan including:

* Parents and carers having access to impartial information to help them locate and choose suitable child care.

* Parents and carers should have a choice of quality care schemes to choose from.

* Parents and carers should have more information and support in accessing the financial support they are entitled to.

There are 177 registered and unregistered care schemes in Hartlepool offering 3,766 child care places to youngsters aged up to16.

Childcare services providers in town felt they weren't consulted enough in the development of child care and that many providers weren't prepared to alter their care to accommodate parents.

The council received 1,351 responses from parents, of which just 13.9 per cent said they were getting some form of financial support towards child care costs.

The action plan aims to improve the numbers of parents accessing financial support.

Many of the parents consulted said they preferred to use their family and friends and many felt the cost of child care is not affordable.

Some parents were concerned about the quality of care and the age and experience of child care staff.

Employers in Hartlepool were also consulted and their opinions have been fed into the action plan.

In a report to civic leaders, director of children's services Adrienne Simcock said: "Hartlepool's CSA provides an overall up-to-date picture of the supply of childcare in the town together with opinions of parents and carers on their use of, and demand for, childcare.

"Of particular importance is the action plan 2008-09 detailing work that must be undertaken by the local authority and key stakeholders to improve the take up, availability and affordability of child care in the town."

The CSA will be discussed at the cabinet meeting on Monday, May 12, at 9am in Committee Room B.