Nursery World - Disbelief greets fall in daycare statistics

Early years organisations have questioned the accuracy of the latest Government statistics, which show the number of childminders and playgroups in England has continued to fall over the past year. Provisional statistics on daycare facilities for children aged under eight in England for the year ending 31 March 2001 show the number of childminders fell by 3,300 from 75,600 in 2000 - a four per cent drop - resulting in 15,800 fewer childcare places. This means the number of childminders has fallen by about a quarter in four years, from a high of 98,500 in 1997 to 72,300 now.

Provisional statistics on daycare facilities for children aged under eight in England for the year ending 31 March 2001 show the number of childminders fell by 3,300 from 75,600 in 2000 - a four per cent drop - resulting in 15,800 fewer childcare places. This means the number of childminders has fallen by about a quarter in four years, from a high of 98,500 in 1997 to 72,300 now.

During the same time 300 pre-schools and playgroups closed, leading to a loss of 22,900 places. However, the number of closures has more than halved from a peak of 700 a year in both 1998-99 and 1999-2000.

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