Â黨ӰÊÓcriticises government inaction after Ofsted data reveals closure of 5,400 early years settings in the last year

The Early Years Â黨ӰÊÓhas issued a comment in response to Ofsted sector statistics which included the number of Ofsted-registered early years providers on 31 August 2022. The data, which can be read  highlighted the following: 

  • In the period there 65,600 childcare providers registered with Ofsted, a decrease of 5,400 since 31 August 2021. 

  • Overall, 110 local authorities have seen a fall in places between August 2021 and August 2022.  

  • In total, 26 local authorities have seen a fall in places of more than 5% during the same period. 

Commenting, Neil Leitch, CEO of the Early Years Alliance, said:  

“What exactly is it going to take for the government to take action on the worsening crisis in our sector?  

“The fact that we have lost 5,400 providers in just 12 months is a direct consequence of government inaction. Time and time again we have urged ministers to commit to the funding that the early years needs to survive – and now the sector is hurtling towards a catastrophe. 

“The government continues to claim that because early years places remain comparatively stable on a na