Nursery World - Ofsted – Net loss of 300 nurseries in one year

There has been a net loss of 300 nurseries in the past year, according to the latest Ofsted statistics, with the number of childminders joining the sector the lowest recorded.

According to Ofsted there was a net loss of 302 nurseries between 31 August 2021 and 31 August 2022 PHOTO Adobe Stock

On 31 August, there 65,600 childcare providers registered with Ofsted, a decrease of 5,400 since 31 August 2021.

However, while the number of providers has fallen by 8 per cent since 31 August 2021, the number of places has declined by 2 per cent.

Ofsted said that this was due to an increase in the number of places offered by each provider over time. On 31 August 2022, there were 1.28 million childcare places offered by providers registered on the Early Years Register (EYR).

Most of the overall decline is due to a loss in the number of childminders. Since 31 August 2021, more than three times as many childminders have left the sector – with 5,600 childminders leaving and 1,500 childminders joining, which Ofsted said was 'the lowest number of annual joiners to date'.

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