Child care needs assessment - Menlo Park

The City of Menlo Park is studying the community’s needs for child care and early learning. Survey results will help with decisions about public support for child care and early learning in Menlo Park.

This survey is for parents/guardians living or working in Menlo Park who have at least one child between 0-12 years old.

Parents/guardians who complete the survey will be eligible to participate in a random drawing for one of several $50 gift cards.

This survey has multiple-choice questions and takes about 5-10 minutes to complete. The survey is anonymous and responses will be kept confidential. Individual results will never be shared.

Please complete this survey by October 12, 2024.

If you have questions about this survey, please contact: Natalya Jones, nrjones@menlopark.gov, 650-330-2271.

Thank you for taking a few minutes to share your thoughts on this important topic.

Are you a parent or guardian of at least one child between 0-12 years old?

Yes, parent

Yes, guardian

Prefer not to answer

Closed to responses

Do you make decisions about child care for your family?

Yes

Closed to responses

What are the ages of all your children?

Less than 1 year old

13+

Prefer not to answer

There are no children in my household

Closed to responses

Do you and other household members work different shifts to reduce the need for child care?

Yes

Not applicable

Prefer not to answer

Closed to responses

Have you ever had to turn down work due to a lack of child care?

Yes

Prefer not to answer

Closed to responses

Please select the ages of your children for which you are currently using child care support by someone other than you or your partner/spouse. Please select all that apply.

Infant (0-2 years)

Preschool (2-4)

School age (5+)

None

Prefer not to answer

Closed to responses

In a typical week, who is the primary provider of child care and/or supervision for your child/children ages 2-4 years during your family's work hours?

You, yourself

Child's other parent or guardian

Family, friend, or neighbor who you do not pay

Family, friend, or neighbor who you pay

Paid child care run out of someone else's home (Licensed Family Child Care Home)

Paid child care provider who is in your home (e.g. nanny, babysitter, au pair, etc.)

Child care or preschool center on a school campus for children who are 4 or younger

Child care or preschool center in the community for children who are 4 or younger

Before-/after-school program on a school campus for children who are school-aged

Before-/after-school program in the community for children who are school-aged

Parent participation or parent co-op preschool/nursery school

Other

Prefer not to answer

I have no child/children ages 2-4 years

Closed to responses

In a typical week, who is the primary provider of child care and/or supervision for your child/children ages 0-24 months during your family's work hours?

You, yourself

Child's other parent or guardian

Family, friend, or neighbor who you do not pay

Family, friend, or neighbor who you pay

Paid child care run out of someone else's home (Licensed Family Child Care Home)

Paid child care provider who is in your home (e.g. nanny, babysitter, au pair, etc.)

Child care or preschool center on a school campus for children who are 4 or younger

Child care or preschool center in the community for children who are 4 or younger

Parent participation or parent co-op preschool/nursery school

Other

Prefer not to answer

I have no child/children ages birth-24 months

Closed to responses

In a typical week, who is the primary provider of child care and/or supervision for your child/children ages 5 years or older during your family's work hours?

You, yourself

Child's other parent or guardian

Family, friend, or neighbor who you do not pay

Family, friend, or neighbor who you pay

Paid child care run out of someone else's home (Licensed Family Child Care Home)

Paid child care provider who is in your home (e.g. nanny, babysitter, au pair, etc.)

Before-/after-school program on a school campus for children who are school-aged

Before-/after-school program in the community for children who are school-aged

Other

Prefer not to answer

I have no child/children ages 5 years or older

Closed to responses

In a typical week, on what days do you need child care from someone other than yourself or your spouse/partner? Please select all that apply.

Monday-Friday

Saturday

Sunday

Prefer not to answer

Closed to responses

During what hours do you typically need child care from someone other than yourself or your spouse/partner? Please select all that apply.

Midnight - 6 a.m.

6 - 8 a.m.

8 a.m. - noon

Noon - 3 p.m.

3 - 6 p.m.

6 - 8 p.m.

8 p.m. - midnight

Prefer not to answer

Closed to responses

In a typical week, how often do you use child care?

Full time (average 40 hours/week or 5 days/week or more)

Part time (average 20 hours/week or 2-3 days/week)

Very part time (average less than 2 days/week)

Prefer not to answer

Closed to responses

What is your primary reason for using child care?

Work from home

Work outside the home

Attend school or job training

Want child to have time for play, socialization, or enrichment

As needed to shop, run errands, attend appointments, etc.

Prefer not to answer

Other (please explain)

Closed to responses

What is your secondary reason for using child care?

Work from home

Work outside the home

Attend school or job training

Want child to have time for play, socialization, or enrichment

As needed to shop, run errands, attend appointments, etc.

Prefer not to answer

Other (please explain)

Closed to responses

Please tell us about the location of the child care you use. Please select all that apply.

In my home

Near home

Near work

At my work site

Near or at child's school

Near relative or friend

Near public transportation

Prefer not to answer

Other (please explain)

Closed to responses

If you commute to/from Menlo Park for work, do you bring your child(ren) with you for child care?

Yes

I don't commute

Prefer not to answer

Closed to responses

Do you receive financial assistance for your child care costs?

Yes

Prefer not to answer

Closed to responses

Below you will find some things families consider when looking for child care. For each one, rate how easy or hard it was to find for your child(ren).

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Which types of financial assistance do you receive to pay for child care? Please select all that apply.

Fee assistance from my employer

Scholarship from a preschool or child care

State-funded preschool or child care

Voucher or subsidy from 4Cs/Child Care Coordinating Council

Free or low-cost after school program

Not applicable

Other (please explain)

Closed to responses

Which of the following did you use when searching for child care? Please select all that apply.

Referrals from 4Cs/Child Care Coordinating Council

Google search

Social media (e.g., Facebook)

Yelp search

Care.com

Mother's Club recommendations

Recommendations from family or friends

Referrals from city or county staff

Information from child's school

Prefer not to answer

Other (please explain)

Closed to responses

If cost and availability were not an issue, what would be your preferred child care for your child ages birth to 24 months?

You, yourself

Child's other parent or guardian

Family, friend, or neighbor who you do not pay

Family, friend, or neighbor who you pay

Paid child care run out of someone else's home (Licensed Family Child Care Home)

Paid child care provider who is in your home (e.g., nanny, babysitter, au pair, etc.)

Child care or preschool center in the community for children who are 4 or younger

Parent participation or parent co-op preschool/nursery school

Other

Prefer not to answer

I have no child/children ages birth-24 months

Closed to responses

If cost and availability were not an issue, what would be your preferred child care for your child/children ages 5 years or older?

You, yourself

Child's other parent or guardian

Family, friend, or neighbor who you do not pay

Family, friend, or neighbor who you pay

Paid child care run out of someone else's home (Licensed Family Child Care Home)

Paid child care provider who is in your home (e.g. nanny, babysitter, au pair, etc.)

Before-/after-school program on a school campus for children who are school-aged

Before-/after-school program in the community for children who are school-aged

Other

Prefer not to answer

I have no child/children ages 5 years or older

Closed to responses

If cost and availability were not an issue, what would be your preferred child care or preschool for your child/children ages 2-4 years?

You, yourself

Child's other parent or guardian

Family, friend, or neighbor who you do not pay

Family, friend, or neighbor who you pay

Paid child care run out of someone else's home (Licensed Family Child Care Home)

Paid child care provider who is in your home (e.g. nanny, babysitter, au pair, etc.)

Child care or preschool center on a school campus for children who are 4 or younger

Child care or preschool center in the community for children who are 4 or younger

Before-/after-school program on a school campus for children who are school-aged

Before-/after-school program in the community for children who are school-aged

Parent participation or parent co-op preschool/nursery school

Other

Prefer not to answer

I have no child/children ages 2-4 years

Closed to responses

What is your preferred location for child care for your child/children ages birth to 24 months? Please select all that apply.

In my home

Near home

Near work

Near or at child's school

Near relative or friend

Near public transportation

Prefer not to answer

Other (please explain)

Closed to responses

What is your preferred location for child care for your child/children ages 2 to 4? Please select all that apply.

In my home

Near home

Near work

Near or at child's school

Near relative or friend

Near public transportation

Prefer not to answer

Other (please explain)

Closed to responses

What is your preferred location for child care for your child/children ages 5 and older? Please select all that apply.

In my home

Near home

Near work

Near or at child's school

Near relative or friend

Near public transportation

Prefer not to answer

Other (please explain)

Closed to responses

Do any of your children have one or more disabilities and/or special needs?

Yes

Prefer not to answer

Closed to responses

Do any of your children have an IEP (Individualized Education Program) or IFSP (Individualized Family Service Plan)?

Yes

Prefer not to answer

Closed to responses

Is your child attending transitional kindergarten in the Fall of 2024?

Yes

Prefer not to answer

Closed to responses

Is your child attending Kindergarten in Fall 2024?

Yes

Prefer not to answer

Closed to responses

Do your child(ren) currently attend any City of Menlo Park child care programs? (The City's child care programs are Belle Haven Child Development Center, Belle Haven Youth Center, and Menlo Children's Center.)

82%

Yes

17%

Prefer not to answer

Closed to responses | 405 Responses

How many people live in your home, including yourself?

5 or more

Prefer not to answer

Closed to responses

What is your highest educational degree completed?

Less than high school

High school diploma or GED

Associate degree

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree or higher

Prefer not to answer

Closed to responses

What neighborhood of Menlo Park do you live in now? (See map) (Choose one)

Allied Arts / Stanford Park

Bayfront

Belle Haven

Central Menlo Park

Downtown Menlo Park

El Camino Real Corridor

Felton Gables

Linfield Oaks

Park Forest / Spruce / San Antonio

Sharon Heights

South of Seminary / Vintage Oaks

Suburban Park / Lorelei Manor / Flood Triangle

The Willows

VA Medical District

West Menlo Park

Unincorporated Menlo Park

I don't live in Menlo Park

Other (please describe)

Closed to responses

How long have you lived in Menlo Park?

Less than a year

1-5 years

6-10 years

10-19 years

20+ years

I don't live in Menlo Park

Closed to responses

What is your age?

Under 6 years

6-11 years

12-17 years

18-28 years

29-50 years

50-65 years

65+ years

Prefer not to answer

Closed to responses

What age groups live in your household? Please select all that apply.

Infants / toddlers

Children

Teenagers / tweens

Adults

Adults 65+

I don't know / prefer not to answer

Closed to responses

Please tell us your ideas, needs, and suggestions for child care programs.

Closed for Comments

Would you like to receive the results of this survey?

Yes

Closed to responses

Please provide your contact information (optional). Parents/guardians who complete the survey will be eligible to participate in a random drawing for one of several $50 gift cards.

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Child care needs assessment - Menlo Park

Child care needs assessment - Menlo Park

Question title

Are you a parent or guardian of at least one child between 0-12 years old?

Question title

Do you make decisions about child care for your family?

Question title

What are the ages of all your children?

Question title

Do you and other household members work different shifts to reduce the need for child care?

Question title

Have you ever had to turn down work due to a lack of child care?

Question title

Please select the ages of your children for which you are currently using child care support by someone other than you or your partner/spouse. Please select all that apply.

Question title

In a typical week, who is the primary provider of child care and/or supervision for your child/children ages 2-4 years during your family's work hours?

Question title

In a typical week, who is the primary provider of child care and/or supervision for your child/children ages 0-24 months during your family's work hours?

Question title

In a typical week, who is the primary provider of child care and/or supervision for your child/children ages 5 years or older during your family's work hours?

Question title

In a typical week, on what days do you need child care from someone other than yourself or your spouse/partner? Please select all that apply.

Question title

During what hours do you typically need child care from someone other than yourself or your spouse/partner? Please select all that apply.

Question title

In a typical week, how often do you use child care?

Question title

What is your primary reason for using child care?

Question title

What is your secondary reason for using child care?

Question title

Please tell us about the location of the child care you use. Please select all that apply.

Question title

If you commute to/from Menlo Park for work, do you bring your child(ren) with you for child care?

Question title

Do you receive financial assistance for your child care costs?

Question title

Below you will find some things families consider when looking for child care. For each one, rate how easy or hard it was to find for your child(ren).

Question title

Which types of financial assistance do you receive to pay for child care? Please select all that apply.

Question title

Which of the following did you use when searching for child care? Please select all that apply.

Question title

If cost and availability were not an issue, what would be your preferred child care for your child ages birth to 24 months?

Question title

If cost and availability were not an issue, what would be your preferred child care for your child/children ages 5 years or older?

Question title

If cost and availability were not an issue, what would be your preferred child care or preschool for your child/children ages 2-4 years?

Question title

What is your preferred location for child care for your child/children ages birth to 24 months? Please select all that apply.

Question title

What is your preferred location for child care for your child/children ages 2 to 4? Please select all that apply.

Question title

What is your preferred location for child care for your child/children ages 5 and older? Please select all that apply.

Question title

Do any of your children have one or more disabilities and/or special needs?

Question title

Do any of your children have an IEP (Individualized Education Program) or IFSP (Individualized Family Service Plan)?

Question title

Is your child attending transitional kindergarten in the Fall of 2024?

Question title

Is your child attending Kindergarten in Fall 2024?

Question title

Do your child(ren) currently attend any City of Menlo Park child care programs? (The City's child care programs are Belle Haven Child Development Center, Belle Haven Youth Center, and Menlo Children's Center.)

Question title

How many people live in your home, including yourself?

Question title

What is your highest educational degree completed?

Question title

What neighborhood of Menlo Park do you live in now? (See map) (Choose one)

Question title

How long have you lived in Menlo Park?

Question title

What is your age?

Question title

What age groups live in your household? Please select all that apply.

Question title

Please tell us your ideas, needs, and suggestions for child care programs.

Question title

Would you like to receive the results of this survey?