Our 2024 annual Childcare Survey saw sharp drops in the availability of childcare places, continuing an existing trend. Only a third of councils say they have enough childcare for parents working full-time and for children under two and the majority, nearly 90%, told us they were not confident their area would have enough places to meet the planned September 2025 expansion of funded childcare entitlements.

We need further detail to understand how this policy would address this shortfall and how it will be targeted to the areas in most need. For example, only 16% of local authorities told us they have enough childcare for families in rural areas, and less than 10% for parents who don’t work typical hours – like a midwife or a police officer.

While there are some areas in England with falling birth rates and extra spaces in primary schools, other schools are full and would find it more difficult to open their doors to younger children. Where childcare is already provided in schools, these tend to have shorter opening hours and are less likely to be open during school holidays which does not fit with the working patterns of most parents.

Alongside any plans to expand childcare places, we also need a workforce strategy. Delivering the suggested number of places, particularly to children as young as nine months, requires skilled and experienced early years staff. The sector has a recruitment and retention crisis so a properly funded workforce strategy, developed in partnership with the sector, will be crucial to success.

Any increase in provision must also be set up to meet the needs of children with disabilities, who are currently most likely to miss out on early education with only 6% of local authorities having enough childcare for those children.

We are pleased to see childcare at the forefront and call on all parties to commit to reform of our childcare system so all children can access the early education they need to thrive, and all parents can make meaningful choices about work and care.