Provision
Providers alarmed at drop in nursery places and settings
Early years organisations have expressed alarm at the fall in the number of childcare places and early years settings during the past 12 months.
Comparing the latest quarterly Ofsted statistics with figures for the same period a year ago shows that there are 718 fewer nurseries - categorised as childcare on non-domestic premises - than at the end of September 2009 and 2,737 fewer childminders.
According to the latest Registered Providers and Places figures, which show movement in the childcare sector between 30 June and 30 September, more nurseries closed their doors than opened them during the last three months: 902 nurseries shut, while 712 opened, leading to 190 fewer nurseries overall.
This is higher than the previous quarter, 31 March to 30 June, when there was an overall loss of 134 nurseries.
However, despite nearly 200 nurseries closing between June and September, 2,358 places were added to the number of childcare places on offer, while just 1,072 were lost overall.
A closer examination of the figures reveals that it is existing nurseries that are increasing their registrations, adding 7,267 places over the past quarter.
The Pre-school Learning Alliance said it was concerned about the downward trend in providers and places. Chief executive Neil Leitch said, 'It would be more meaningful for the sector if Ofsted reverted to categorising settings by type, as well as banding providers by the number of registered places.
'Ofsted's statistics show how well the sector has done so far in withstanding the downturn in the wider economy. This is despite the fact that many providers say they have been inadequately compensated under the free entitlement scheme.
'Many settings fear that unless the Government addresses the funding issue, they may be forced to close over the coming months. This will make it harder for the Government to honour its pledge of free places for all children aged three and four and for the most disadvantaged two-year-olds.'
Claire Schofield, director of membership, policy and communications at the National Day Nurseries Association, said, 'It is difficult to identify trends by types of provision due to how Ofsted reports and records this, but high levels of closures could indicate that nurseries are facing sustainability issues.'
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