Childcare Sufficiency Survey 2024
This section of the report outlines the findings that were obtained from the electronic survey undertaken in June 2024.
Overall provider response rate for PVI and Childcare was high. (n=138 responses)
Changes in Number of places offered in the last 12 months:
| Provider Type | Responses | Increased | Same | Reduced |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Childminders | 74 | 16.2% | 75.7% | 8.1% |
| Daycare Provision | 47 | 4.3% | 89.4% | 6.4% |
| Holiday Clubs | 20 | 20.0% | 80.0% | 0.0% |
| Out of School / Wraparound | 21 | 4.8% | 95.2% | 0.0% |
| Sessional | 16 | 18.8% | 81.3% | 0.0% |
| All | 136 | 12.5% | 80.9% | 6.6% |
- More than 93% of providers of any type, report that they have increased or maintained the number of places offered over the last 12 months.
-
Childminders and Daycare providers are the most likely to report a decrease in numbers.
o 3 Daycare providers report reducing provision (one in the North West and two in the South East).o 6 Childminders report reducing their provision. Including three in the North East of the borough.
Most providers have maintained their place numbers, with a significant minority increasing places, this will help ensure sufficiency of places.
Demand for Paid Hours
Providers were asked how demand for paid hours of childcare had changed during the preceding 12 months. The table below shows the responses broken down by provider type.
| Provider Type | Responses | Increased | Same | Reduced |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Childminders | 84 | 25% | 60.9% | 14.1% |
| Daycare Provision | 46 | 54.3% | 37% | 8.7% |
| Holiday Clubs | 19 | 47.4% | 36.8% | 15.8% |
| Out of School / Wraparound | 21 | 47.6% | 42.9% | 9.5% |
| Sessional | 16 | 50% | 37.5% | 12.5% |
| All | 124 | 35.5% | 53.2% | 11.3% |
- Most Childminders have seen no change in demand for paid hours this year.
- Demand for paid hours has increased for around half of other provider types.
Most providers reported that demand for paid hours has increased or remained stable. Only a minority reported a decrease in demand for paid hours. Increased demand for paid hours should support provider sustainability. The Local Authority will work with partners to understand how the expansion in the Government funded early years entitlements will impact on demand for paid hours. Further monitoring is required to understand if demand for paid hours will change as the expansion of early years entitlements takes place.
Demand for Government Funded Places
Providers were asked how demand for Government funded childcare places had changed during the preceding 12 months. The table below shows the responses broken down by provider types.
| Provider Type | Responses | Increased | Same | Reduced |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Childminders | 68 | 64.7% | 29.4% | 5.9% |
| Daycare Provision | 47 | 95.7% | 4.3% | 0% |
| Holiday Clubs | 17 | 70.6% | 29.4% | 0% |
| Out of School / Wraparound | 19 | 78.9% | 21.1% | 0% |
| Sessional | 15 | 73.3% | 26.7% | 0% |
| All | 126 | 73.8% | 23% | 3.2% |
- Most of all provider types report an increase in demand since the expansion of government funded childcare.
- Only four Childminders report a decrease in demand (and that decrease was not reported as “significant”).
- Most of the Daycare provision reported an increase in demand.
- More providers in the North and South West of the LA reported an increase in demand than those in the East of the LA.
This will help support the sustainability of these providers, providing funding rates are appropriate. The expansion of the Government funded early years entitlements from April 2024, will further significantly increase demand.
Demand for childcare during school holidays
Providers were asked how demand for childcare during the school holidays has changed during the past 12 months. The table below shows the responses by provider type.
| Provider Type | Responses | Increased | Same | Reduced |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Childminders | 61 | 24.6 | 60.7% | 14.8% |
| Daycare Provision | 36 | 25% | 72.2% | 2.8% |
| Holiday Clubs | 20 | 35% | 50% | 15% |
| Out of School / Wraparound | 18 | 38.9% | 50% | 11.1% |
| Sessional | 10 | 40% | 40% | 20% |
| All | 107 | 24.3% | 64.5% | 11.2% |
- Demand in School Holidays has remained broadly the same over the last 12 months.
- A significant minority of Holiday clubs, Out of School providers and sessional providers report an increase in demand over the holidays.
The results show that demand for holiday childcare has varied across settings. Most provider types reported no change in demand. Further monitoring of the situation is required.