Early data from our Childcare Survey 2024 reveals local authorities' uncertainty surrounding local providers' preparedness to deliver the upcoming expansion of funded early education places, and concern about the expansion's impact on existing entitlements. 

Key findings:

• Local authorities are much more confident that there will be enough places to meet demand for the April 2024 expansion – 60% answered ‘confident’ or ‘very confident’ that there will be enough places to meet demand.
• Just 27% of local authorities are confident that there will be enough places to meet demand for the September 2024 expansion, and only 12% of local authorities are confident that there will be enough places for the September 2025 expansion.
• 88% of local authorities see the local childcare workforce as a barrier or significant barrier to successful delivery of the 30 hours expansions.
• 64% of local authorities see ‘Sufficiency of childcare places for children with special education needs and disabilities (SEND)’ and 55% of local authorities see ‘Funding to support children with SEND’ as a barrier or significant barrier to successful delivery of the 30 hours expansions.