BARNSLEY Council wants to hear the views of parents of two, three and four-year-olds across the borough ahead of changes in funding rules.

From September the government is introducing 30 hours of free childcare for three and four-year-olds and the council says it needs to plan for any increase in the demand for childcare.

Currently, all three and four-year-olds are eligible for 15 hours of free childcare per week during term time.

The additional 15 hours will be available to families where both parents are working, lone working parents, self-employed parents, those on a national living wage and whose earnings are less than £100,000 per year, parents on zero hours contracts who meet one of the above criteria.

Parents and any partner must each expect to earn on average at least £120 a week in order to be eligible for the 30 hours free childcare. People who are on maternity, paternity or adoption leave, or unable to work because they are disabled or have caring responsibilities, could still be eligible.

The council's short survey includes questions on what influences parents' choice of provider, how people would prefer to access the 30 hours and the types of provider parents and carers will be using.

The survey is available on the council's website and will be available until December 31. You can find it here.