Childcare Sufficiency Assessment

 

Introduction


The Childcare Act 2006 (section 6) places a duty on all local authorities to secure sufficient childcare**, so far as is reasonably practicable, for working parents, or parents who are studying or training for employment, for children aged 0-14 years (or up to 18 years for disabled children). As part of these duties local authorities are expected to report annually to elected council members on how they are ensuring there is sufficient childcare in their area, both for free early education (FEE) for two, three and four year olds and childcare for all children for those parents able and willing to pay, and to make this assessment available for parents and the general public.

 
The assessment will also be of interest to existing and potential childcare providers considering expanding their businesses or starting up in new areas, and should be used alongside their own market research to assess demand in particular areas and points in time. The childcare market is particularly dynamic, with many factors affecting demand and supply, particularly parental choice. Therefore the findings of this report are indicative only and further detailed analysis of local areas should be undertaken by childcare providers to fully understand the local market.
 

Childcare Sufficiency Assessment Annual Report 2023
 

 

 

 

 
 
 

Types of childcare considered in the East Riding assessment includes:

• Childminders, day nurseries and preschools run by the private, voluntary and independent sector
• Nursery units and classes and breakfast and after-school clubs run by schools and academies

NB: it excludes nannies, after-school sports and arts activities run by teachers and 4 yr olds who have started school, not taking free early education entitlements.

 

Sub-areas of East Riding for childcare sufficiency and migration analysis

 The area covered by East Riding is extensive and rural in nature and it is recognised that the majority of parents do not normally travel far to access childcare. Geographical sub-areas have therefore been identified based on the 18 Children’s Centres in East Riding, which have been grouped together to form areas that conform as closely as possible to patterns of childcare usage, but also reflect the local areas used for small area population and census data collection.

 

Due to a new culture of blended working structures adopted by many organisations not just in the East Riding but nationally means that an analysis of take up of funded early education would still not give a clear picture of cross boarder migration. For these reasons it is assumed that childcare is taken closer to home rather than their work place. As the East Riding borders a number of different local authority areas this could then have an impact on migration. Future migration levels, across the local authority border for funded early education will be continued to be monitored in partnership with Hull City Council and other authority areas.

 

To see more information about Funded Early Education please go to the Assessment of Sufficiency page.

 

For further information please:

Visit the FISH (Families Information Service Hub) website

Or contact:

FISH (Families Information Service Hub) on 01482 396469
E-mail:   fish@eastriding.gov.uk

CSA