You are here: News Councils concerned about shortages of places ahead of next phase of childcare expansion

27th June 2024
By Joanna Watts

With just over two months to go until the next phase in the roll-out of major expansion to free childcare, councils across England* have raised concerns about having enough places to meet demand, identifying the childcare workforce as their biggest concern, in new research published by Coram Family and Childcare (CFC) today.

Two in five councils (41%) say they are ‘confident’ or ‘very confident’ that they will have enough places to meet demand for the September 2024 expansion (15 free hours from nine months for eligible working parents). This is up from 28% in January 2024**. However, with the next phase of the roll-out fast approaching, this still leaves nearly six in ten (59%) councils either not confident or unsure if there will be sufficient places.

Councils’ confidence in the final phase of the roll-out in September 2025 (30 hours from nine months for eligible working parents) is much lower, with just 11% reporting that they are ‘confident’ or ‘very confident’ that there will be enough places to meet demand. This figure is practically unchanged from January 2024 (12%).

The vast majority of councils (75%) report that their biggest concern in delivery of the childcare expansion is the local workforce, reflecting the significant ongoing challenges to recruit and retain staff. This is three times higher than any other concern.

Today’s report also indicates how the first phase of the expansion (15 free hours for two-year-olds from April 2024) has been going so far. Just over half (52%) of councils say that all or almost all eligible parents in their area who wanted to take up the new entitlements have been able to. This is reflective of councils’ predictions in January 2024 about their areas’ preparedness for the first phase of the expansion, as 60% reported then that they were ‘confident’ or ‘very confident’ about having enough places to meet demand.

Over half (53%) of councils identify the local workforce as having been a ‘barrier’ or ‘significant barrier’ to the successful delivery of this first phase of the roll-out, while 36% of councils identified local buildings and space and 21% reported sufficiency of childcare places for children with SEND, as ‘barriers’ or ‘significant barriers’ to delivery.

Ellen Broomé, Managing Director of Coram Family and Childcare, said:

“Whilst it is encouraging that councils’ confidence in having enough places for all families who want one this September has gone up since we last asked them, this figure is still worryingly low considering we are just two months away from this second phase of the childcare expansion.

“Today’s follow-up report finds that councils’ previous responses about their preparedness for the April 2024 expansion mirrors the proportion of families who have been able to access their place. This shows that they have a good understanding of their local situation and their concerns should be listened to. Given that just 11% of councils are confident about the final phase of the expansion in September 2025, we are concerned there may be further issues not only this September, but further down the line for families in getting the childcare they need. And with three-quarters citing staffing as their number one barrier to delivery of the expansion, our research reiterates the urgent need for a workforce strategy that addresses the recruitment and retention crisis in the sector.

“For this policy to be a success, it is essential that all families can take up their entitlements, and the next few months will be a crucial time in making sure they can. No child should miss out on the early years education they need to thrive, and all parents should be able to make meaningful decisions about work and care. We want the next government to commit to the necessary reforms to make this a reality.”

Today, CFC also publishes its manifesto for childcare reform, setting out how the next government can fix the problems of high costs and low quality, and barriers to access and inclusion by reforming the system, resolving the workforce crisis and allocating sufficient funding to the early years sector.

-ENDS-

Report landing page

Notes to Editors    

For a copy of the full report and interviews, please contact Emma Lamberton, Senior Communications Manager, Coram: emma.lamberton@coram.org.uk / 07908 827908 

*As part of Coram Family and Childcare’s 2024 Holiday Childcare Survey, questions were included about the delivery of the April 2024 expansion of funded early education entitlements and about how prepared local authorities feel they are for the remaining expansions of funded early education entitlements. 153 English local authorities were surveyed, with 130 responses received, giving a response rate of 85% 

**In January 2024, CFC published a report on how prepared local authorities feel for the expansions of free early education entitlements. CFC surveyed 153 English local authorities, and received responses to these questions from 92, giving a response rate of 60%. The full report is available at familyandchildcaretrust.org/childcare-survey-2024-early-release 

About Coram Family and Childcare 

Coram Family and Childcare works to make the UK a better place for families by bringing together what we learn from our on the ground parent-led programmes and our research to campaign for solutions that parents want and need. We focus on childcare and early years to make a difference to families’ lives now and in the long term. Before August 2018, we were known as the Family and Childcare Trust. 

For more information, please visit: 

Website: coramfamilyandchildcare.org.uk

Twitter: @CoramFamChild 

Facebook: @CoramFamChild

About Coram 

Coram is the UK’s oldest children’s charity, supporting children to have the best possible chance in life since 1739. We work as a group of specialist organisations helping more than a million children, young people, families and professionals every year.   

We support children and young people from their earliest days to independence, creating a change that lasts a lifetime. We help build their confidence; we help them to develop skills; we uphold their rights, we support practitioners in the areas of fostering and adoption and we find loving adoptive families for the most vulnerable children. 

We work in over 2,000 schools supporting nearly half a million children, run London’s largest Regional Adoption Agency and provide free legal advice for thousands of children and families who need it every year. 

For more information, please visit: 

Website: www.coram.org.uk 

Twitter: @Coram 

Facebook: Coramsince1739 

Instagram: coram.uk