There were 50 per cent more nursery closures in the 2022-23 academic year, compared to the previous year, according to new research.
The analysis by the National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) found that 72 more nurseries closed compared with the same period the year before.
More nurseries closed in areas of deprivation. In the last academic year alone, 14.5 per cent of nursery closures were in the 10 per cent most deprived areas of England. This is on top of 12.7 per cent that closed in the 10 per cent most deprived areas the previous year.
According to the NDNA, closures were accelerating at a time when nurseries are usually at their busiest. Over one third (36 per cent) of closures happened in the summer between April to August. This coincided with the cost increases that came into effect at the start of the financial year.
