Ofsted data reveals closure of 5,400 early years settings in the last year
By Rachel Lawler
New Ofsted sector statistics show that 5,400 early years providers have closed since last year.
The statistics, which included the number of Ofsted-registered early years providers on 31 August 2022, show that there were a total of 65,000 providers registered - down 5,400 since August 2021.
The statistics also show that 110 local authorities have seen the number of places in their local area fall since August 2021.鈥嬧嬧嬧嬧嬧 This includes 26 local authorities that have seen a fall in places of more than 5% during the same period.
鈥淭he 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 鈥 and now the sector is hurtling towards a catastrophe.
鈥淭he government continues to claim that because early years places remain comparatively stable on a national basis, all is fine 鈥 but our own analysis of today鈥檚 statistics reveal that in the last year alone, 110 local authorities have seen a fall in the number of places available to families, with 26 seeing declines of more than 5%. What use is it to parents to be told that there are sufficient early years places across the country if there aren鈥檛 enough in their local area?
鈥淭he government had the opportunity to tackle this crisis at the recent Autumn Statement 鈥 but despite managing to somehow find an extra 拢2.3bn for schools, opted to completely ignore the early years. If this approach continues, there is absolutely no doubt we will continue to see further closures on an ever-increasing scale.
鈥淔or providers to have any chance of remaining sustainable in the long term, the government must, as a matter of urgency, put forward a holistic, long-term plan to properly fund the early years. The sector simply won鈥檛 survive anything less.鈥