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Early Years Alliance in response to аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø¿ª½± sector statistics which included the number of аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø¿ª½±-registered early years providers on 31 March 2023.

The data, which can be read highlighted the following:

• On 31 March 2023, 63,200 childcare and early years providers were registered with аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø¿ª½±, down by 4,800 (7%) since 31 March 2022
• In the period, 27,900 childminders were registered with аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø¿ª½±, down by 3,500 (11%) since 31 March 2022
• In total, there were 1.27 million childcare and early years places on the Early Years Register (EYR) on 31 March, down by 24,500 (2%) since last year.

Commenting, Neil Leitch, chief executive of the Early Years Alliance, said: 

“Today’s аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø¿ª½± figures are a clear example of exactly what we have been warning about. Years of underfunding and completely disregarding the sector time have left us with a shell of an early years sector with provider numbers plummeting at an alarming rate. 

“Yet, rather than look at how to properly address the problem, the government only continues to fuel the fire. As it stands, the planned expansion of the early entitlement offer will only place even more pressure on the sector and will result in even more settings buckling under the strain. The additional funding announced does not even come close to repairing the years of damage.  

“Early years providers go over and above to provide the very best care and education, the fact that 96% of setting remain good or outstanding is testament to that, but it should not be an uphill battle. 

“So, this time, we hope that calls to listen to providers will not be ignored and the government will work with the sector to make certain that the infrastructure, and importantly, the funding is there to ensure that England’s early years sector survives. Frankly, the way the sector has been treated is not only completely unacceptable but is coming dangerous close to reaching a point of no return."