The most important job of all is under the microscope with a new parenting survey being launched.

The survey is being conducted by Orange City Council and comes after research showed a majority of Orange parents felt there were shortcomings in services.

“We did an Auspoll study and that study showed 63 per cent of residents felt their parenting needs weren’t being met,” Orange City Council services policy committee chair Cr Fiona Rossiter said.

Cr Rossiter said the survey was part of efforts to address that feeling and better understand the needs of parents.

Sarah and Dave Ash have a six-month-old boy, Callum.

Mrs Ash said the services in Orange were adequate but knowing where to find them could be a challenge.

“I am not sure everybody knows what’s out there,” she said.

She said nothing could prepare you for becoming a mum.

“Mothers themselves are the best resources you can get,” she said.

The business of some services is another factor which can make them difficult to access, according to Mrs Ash.

Cr Rossiter said the results would help council planning and allow it to share the information gathered with other agencies.

The future of council-run childcare facilities is being reviewed and parents are encouraged to have their say.

“There’s an option there to put suggestions forward and that will be invaluable,” Cr Rossiter said.

Cr Rossiter said this was the first time such a survey had been done and it was essential there were as many responses as possible.

The survey will be open until May 27 and can be found at www.surveymonkey.com/s/orangeparentingsurvey.