Ofsted’s latest data release has revealed that there are 7% fewer early providers and 2% fewer places for children in England.
The picture looks grim for nurseries and pre-schools, with a net loss of 651 settings on the EY register in just one year and more than 4,000 places lost since August alone.
Inspectors have judged nurseries much more harshly, with 18% of nurseries inspected since September given a requires improvement (8%) or inadequate (10%) judgement. Of those providers who were previously judged as requires improvement or inadequate, this figure rises to 26% (12% inadequate).
Overall, 96% of nurseries and pre-schools remain good or outstanding but since 2019 there are 6% fewer outstanding nurseries.
