Nursery World - Reform of the childcare system 'urgent' as childcare places become less available

There has been a ‘sharp drop’ in the number of available childcare places across England over the past year, with just half of local authorities reporting sufficiency of places for children under two.

Coram Family and Childcare has released its annual Childcare Survey on sufficency of places and childcare costs, PHOTO: Adobe Stock

Coram Family and Childcare’s 22^nd annual Childcare Survey, published today (9 March), finds that only half of local areas have reported sufficient childcare for children under two, a decrease of 7 per cent on 2022.

A breakdown by region reveals sufficiency of places is most problematic in outer London where just 28 per cent of local authorities report having enough childcare for those under the age of two and no problem in the North East where 100 per cent of local authorities said they have enough places.

In total, less than half (48 per cent) of local authorities reported enough childcare for parents working full-time, a drop of 11 per cent on last year’s figures.

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