New DfE statistics reveal between 2018 and 2022, that the number of early years providers has fallen by 10 per cent.
The latest figures from the Childcare and Early Years Provider survey show that over the last four years, the number of providers has fallen by 6,600, the equivalent of 10 per cent.
According to the data, the drop in the number of providers is largely down to a loss of childminders, with 8,000 leaving the profession between 2018 and 2020. As of this year, there were 28,500 childminders, down from 36,500 in 2018. The number of school-based providers increased by 13 per cent over the same period however, while the number of group-based providers stayed roughly the same.
Despite this, the number of registered childcare places has continued to increase from a total of 1,518,400 in 2018 to 1,568,500 this year.
The Early Years Alliance said it was ‘unbelievable that the Government is still insisting all is fine in the sector in the face of report after report showing the number of settings plummeting.’
