William Eichler 29 May 2024

Nearly 85,000 childcare places needed, MPs warn

Nearly 85,000 childcare places needed, MPs warn image
Image: Krakenimages.com / Shutterstock.com.

Around 84,500 more childcare places and 40,000 extra staff are required by September 2025 if the Government is to deliver on its plans to increase early year childcare support.

The Department for Education (DfE) has made a good start to delivering its programme of extending early year childcare support for working parents in England, according to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC).

However, the DfE estimates that early years providers will have to create 15,500 more new places nationally by September 2024 and 84,500 by September 2025, with a fifth of local authorities having to increase the supply of hours by 20% or more.

The committee warns this is a ‘significant challenge’ for an early years sector that faces years of underfunding, ongoing cost pressures and a recruitment and retention crisis.

The Department for Education also estimates that the early years workforce needs to grow by around 40,000 between now and September 2025 – a 12% increase compared to July 2023.

The DfE expects all eligible children between nine months and four years old to be able to access the equivalent of 30 hours of subsidised childcare per week by September 2025.

This is expected to cost an extra £4.1bn year by 2027-28 – doubling the DfE’s current annual spend on childcare to £8bn.

According to a recent report by the National Audit Office (NAO), just one in 10 councils are confident they can provide enough early years places to deliver the Government’s childcare expansion on time.

Check out: Wraparound childcare: what do parents want?

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Storytelling and Case Studies Officer

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
Starting Salary from £43,545 FTE based on Skill
Job Title Storytelling and Cas... Wandsworth Town Hall/hybrid
Recuriter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth

Head of Housing Development

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
UP to £116,847
Job Title- Head of Housing Development Salary – UP to £116,847 Permanent – Fulltime (36hours) Location- Wandsworth Town Hall, London Are you experienced in Local Government Housing Association/Development? If yes, you are invited to consider th Wandsworth, London
Recuriter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth

Chief of Staff

Borough Council of King's Lynn and West Norfolk
up to £126,615
We’re transforming services with ambition and community at the heart of our work. Norfolk
Recuriter: Borough Council of King's Lynn and West Norfolk

Director of People

Lancashire County Council
£108,697 - £117,998
As a leader at Lancashire County Council, you’ll join an authority with real scale, courageous ambition and deep pride in place. County hall
Recuriter: Lancashire County Council

Director of Strategy and Transformation

Lancashire County Council
£108,697 - £117,998
As a leader at Lancashire County Council, you’ll join an authority with real scale, courageous ambition and deep pride in place. Preston, Lancashire
Recuriter: Lancashire County Council
Linkedin Banner