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More than half of local authorities are unsure if there will be enough childcare places available in their area when the 30-hours’ free childcare entitlement is introduced this September, a new poll has found.

 

According to a report released by the Family and Childcare Trust, 54% of local authorities are unsure if their area has enough places available, while 13% admitted that there is not currently sufficient provision.

 

The charity contacted all 152 local authorities in England asking how the updated policy would impact their area. Of the 112 councils that responded, just over two-thirds believe that some local childcare providers would choose not to offer the funded places, while 44% said that the 30-hours offer is likely to reduce the financial stability of some settings.

 

Councils were also asked about how the policy will impact on the quality of early years education in their area. Just 2% said that it would have an impact, while 66% believed that it would make no difference. However, 32% were unsure about its impact.

 

The Family and Childcare Trust concluded that its findings raised “significant questions” about the impact of the 30-hours policy.

 

The Alliance said that, while these findings were “not surprising”, they were “deeply concerning”. Chief executive Neil Leitch commented: “It is simply not good enough that, as a result of the government’s continued refusal to listen to funding concerns, the vast majority of local authorities cannot say with any certainty whether or not they will have enough places for eligible three- and four-year olds with only seven months to go until the 30-hour offer is implemented.”

 

He added: “Time is running out, and at this rate, come September, we are going to see a lot of disappointed parents who are unable to find a ‘free’ place for their child as promised.”