Nursery World - Regional Focus, part 4: Big challenges in London

In the concluding part of this series, Gabriella Jozwiak analyses
how London services are developing to meet increased demand.

London is the most densely-populated part of the UK. More than 591,000 under-fives live within its 14 inner and 19 outer boroughs. More than a third of its residents were born outside the UK. In terms of GDP, London is the fifth richest city in the world, yet it has the highest poverty rate in England at 37 per cent. However, the number of children achieving a good overall Early Years Foundation Stage level of development is 53 per cent, just above the 52 per cent national average.

Childcare costs in the capital are an average of 25 per cent higher than elsewhere in Britain, says the Family and Childcare Trust. Head of policy and research Jill Rutter says London childcare costs on average £104 a week for 25 hours.

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