More than 500 childcare settings closing each month

The data was provided by Ofsted’s chief inspector Amanda Spielman in response to a parliamentary question from the shadow early years minister Tracy Brabin last week about how many Ofsted registered nurseries and childminders have closed for business in each of the last 12 months.

• Nursery closures rise 66 per cent since 30 hours began
• Nursery businesses join forces against closures

Ms Spielman confirmed that an average of 577 early years providers (196 nurseries and pre-schools and 381 childminders) left the Early Years Register each month between April and August 2018.

The number fell slightly to 554 providers (164 nurseries and pre-schools and 390 childminders) between September and December 2018. However, it increased between January and March of this year, with an average of 580 early years providers (179 nurseries and pre-schools and 401 childminder) leaving the Early Years Register each month.

The figures include providers that have had their registration cancelled, mostly due to non-payment of fees. Ofsted says these providers are likely to be reinstated once their fees are paid. They do not take into account childminders who de-register with Ofsted and then go on to register with a childminder agency.

Neil Leitch, chief executive of the Early Years Alliance called the figures ‘unsustainable’.

He said, ‘We have long warned that without adequate funding, many early years providers would be forced to close their doors and these figures sadly confirm that this is exactly what has been happening.

‘If more isn’t done to ensure that the sector is adequately funded as a matter of priority, we are going to have a genuine childcare crisis on our hands in this country before too long.

‘With a general election now imminent, we know that our sector is likely to once again be used as a political football, as the various political parties fight to out-do each other with their promises of “free childcare” to parents without taking the time to ensure that their sums actually add up.

‘In the run-up to 12 December, we urge all political parties not to make outlandish, uncosted and ill-thought-out pledges, but rather, to engage with the sector and commit to ensuring that providers are given the funding they need to remain sustainable in the long-term.’