Nursery World - Rise in early years places, but number of disadvantaged twos accessing 15 hours at lowest recorded

Ofsted figures published today shows that places have risen slightly, but provider numbers have fallen, and fewer low-income families have access to two-year-old places.

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Overall, the number of places registered with Ofsted has increased by 1,370, which amounts to a less than 1 per cent increase.

The data comes from Ofsted’s report on Childcare Providers and Inspections as at 31 March 2024.

Meanwhile official Government figures show that the number of two-year-olds accessing 15-hours has dropped to an all-time low.

Key figures: Ofsted – March 2023 to March 2024

Analysis of local authority data by the Early Years Alliance also shows that places have dropped in nearly half of all council areas in England.

For example, between August 2023 and March 2024, places have fallen from 31,218 to 31,040 in Lancashire. In Lewisham there has been a loss of just under 300 places, from 9,650 to 9,355, during the same period.

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