Nursery World - 'Overstretched' local authorities struggling to meet demand for 'wrap-a-round' care

Local authorities are struggling to meet increased demand for wraparound childcare, amid ‘significant’ funding challenges and difficulties recruiting staff, finds new research.

The report, published by Coram Family and Childcare, highlights the challenges facing local authorities with the provision of before and after-school care, PHOTO: Adobe Stock

The report, ‘Insights into wraparound childcare’, commissioned by the Local Government Association (LGA) and published by Coram Family and Childcare (CFC), highlights the challenge for ‘already overstretched’ local authority teams in making sure there is sufficient wrap-a-round provision available and understanding the availability of provision, particularly unregistered settings.

It comes after the Government announced in the Spring Budget (March 2023) an investment of £289 million over two years to enable local authorities to support the expansion of wrap-a-round childcare for all primary school children.

The research, which is based upon the views of parents, sector experts and local authorities on the current provision of wraparound childcare (before and after-school care), finds:

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