As part of its city-wide creche service review, the council asked children aged between two and four to draw or write about how they felt when they came to their creche. Out of 37 children surveyed, 34 said they were happy, one felt 'sad'
and one said he was 'excited'.
When asked what they liked best about the creche, 32 cited playing with specific named games, pieces of equipment or activities. Other answers were using the toilet, being cuddled, looking at books, and the staff. Creche sessions usually last two hours.
The children appeared to be generally satisfied with their creches - when asked what they didn't like, the biggest response was 'nothing'. Other comments were, 'I don't like girls', 'I don't like it when they put the toys away' and 'I don't like people talking to me when I don't want them to.'
Aberdeen councillor Kevin Stewart said, 'No eyebrows would be raised if adult service users were canvassed, and those of a tender age should be treated no differently.'
The council surveyed other creche customers - parents or carers and groups and organisations using the creche services - with the aim of improving the service. Parents and carers stated a strong preference for qualified staff as well as a good variety of toys and things for the children to do.
The council said that it was concerned about the loss of qualified staff to other sectors of childcare, such as day nurseries, which offered staff better terms and conditions. It added that a large number of creche staff were unable to access the workplace training and development funded through Aberdeen Childcare Partnership, because they worked fewer than ten hours a week.
Following the review, work is to begin this month to develop and monitor all of Aberdeen's creches.
