Almost a third of not-for-profit nurseries in England’s most deprived areas have closed their doors or been taken over by private firms, according to analysis by the Guardian, with experts warning that poorer families are being “locked out” of the expansion of “free” childcare hours.
More than 18,000 childcare providers were analysed by The Guardian. Its analysis of official figures found that the number run by charities, councils, churches, and other not-for-profit organisations had ‘fallen sharply’ in four years.
Almost a third – 29 per cent – of not-for-profit nurseries closed or were privatised in the most deprived parts of England between 2018 and 2022, the analysis found. The Guardian reported that the number of not-for-profit childcare places had reduced by 21 per cent, compared with a 15 per cent drop in the number of under-fives living in those areas.
Not-for-profit nurseries across England had fallen by 23 per cent in four years, while those run by private companies increased by 10 per cent, the analysis found.
