Nursery World - DfE figures show 4,000 early years providers have closed in the last two years

There has been a loss of around 4,000 early years providers in the last two years, resulting in 7,300 fewer childcare places, according to new data from the Department for Education (DfE).

The DfE figures reveal a loss of 7,300 childcare places across England between 2019 and 2021 PHOTO Adobe Stock

The latest Survey of Childcare and Early Years Providers, published today (9 December) reveals there are an estimated 62,000 providers, down from 66,000 in 2019.

A breakdown of the data shows more childminders have closed than any other provider with 3,900 fewer operating this year than in 2019. A further 200 private providers have left the sector, 700 voluntary providers and 600 school-based providers. According to the figures, there has been no change in the number of maintained nursery schools.

It comes after Ofsted figures, published in June, revealed more than 2,500 childcare providers in England closed this past year.

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