A survey by the National Day Nurseries Association, carried out in early 2023, found that there has been an 87 per cent increase in the numbers of nurseries closing in England between April and December 2022, compared with the same period in 2021 [1].
It also found that 83 per cent of English nurseries do not expect to make any surplus at all and 38 per cent expect to operate at a loss, increasing to 45 per cent in the 20 per cent most deprived areas.
Meanwhile, an impact report for the Mayor’s Strong Early Years London programme found that in spring 2022, 67 per cent of all London nurseries and pre-schools had staff vacancies and 94 per cent were finding them hard to fill [2].
What is driving these trends? And what impact is this having on childcare and childcare providers in London?
For the second of two meetings on childcare in London, the Economy Committee will tomorrow discuss the opportunities and challenges faced by the childcare sector, including the availability of provision, access to funding, staffing and pay.
The guests are:
- Joanne McCartney, Deputy Mayor for Children and Families
- Neil Leitch OBE, CEO, Early Years Alliance
- Cllr Ian Edwards, London Councils’ Executive Member for Children and Young People
- Purnima Tanuku OBE, CEO, National Day Nurseries Association
- Helen Donohoe, Chief Executive, Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years (PACEY)
- Vic Jones, Senior Policy Officer, Trades Union Congress
The meeting will take place on Wednesday 14 June from 2pm in the Chamber at City Hall, Kamal Chunchie Way, E16 1ZE.
Media and members of the public are invited to attend.
The meeting can also be viewed LIVE or later via webcast or YouTube.
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Notes to editors
- NDNA, Childcare crisis: 98.4% of nurseries losing £1000s due to funding shortfall, 9 March 2023
- Mayor of London, Strong Early Years London - Impact Report, June 2022
- Full agenda papers.
- Marina Ahmad AM, Chair of the Economy Committee, is available for interview.
- Find out more about the work of the Economy Committee.
- As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.
For more information, please contact Emma Bowden in the Assembly Media Office on 07849 303897. For out of hours media enquiries please call 020 7983 4000 and ask for the Assembly duty press officer.