Nursery World - Childcare closures treble on last year

Three times as many childcare places closed in 2004-05 as in the previous year, according to figures released by children's minister Beverley Hughes. During a debate on the Childcare Bill in the House of Commons last week, shadow childcare minister Paul Goodman cited statistics Ms Hughes had provided in a written answer, which showed that in 2004-05 the number of full daycare places closed was 65,577, up from 7,627 in 2003-04, while last year she said 72,222 out-of- school and 62,972 childminding places were closed.

During a debate on the Childcare Bill in the House of Commons last week, shadow childcare minister Paul Goodman cited statistics Ms Hughes had provided in a written answer, which showed that in 2004-05 the number of full daycare places closed was 65,577, up from 7,627 in 2003-04, while last year she said 72,222 out-of- school and 62,972 childminding places were closed.

'In other words, the closure rate appears to be increasing,' Mr Goodman said, pointing out that in the past it was reckoned that two places opened for every one closed and now the ratio was nearer five opening to three closing.

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