Quarterly data on the number of registered childcare providers and places shows that there were 12,100 registered daycare providers offering 518,000 places at the end of March. This is a rise of 10,300 places since figures were last published in December 2004.
The number of out-of-school care providers has remained steady at 9,700, while figures for playgroups and private nursery schools show a small drop in sessional care.
The number of childminders has also dropped and is down from 71,000 to 70,200.
Gill Haynes, chief executive of the National Childminding Association, said, 'These figures show that the workforce is currently stabilising and I don't feel there has been a significant fall in the overall number of registered childminders. Recent developments, such as changes to Working Tax Credit entitlement, are likely to mean that more parents will be looking for registered childcare and NCMA will be looking to see what effect this will have in the future.'
Registered childcare providers and places in England, March 2005
December 2004 March 2005
Providers Places Providers Places
Childminders 71,000 318,100 70,200 316,100
Full day care (extended day pre-school groups and day nurseries) 12,000 507,700 12,100 518,000
Sessional care (playgroups and private nursery schools) 10,500 256,300 10,200 249,600
Out-of-school (including holiday playschemes) 9,700 341,500 9,700 341,200
Creche daycare 2,500 42,800 2,500 43,400
Total 105,600 1,466,300 104,700 1,468,300
