Research just published by independent agency Ceeda has indicated that childcare providers located in the most deprived areas of Britain are twice as likely to close as those in more affluent areas.

Amongst the 356 private, voluntary and independent childcare providers surveyed, almost one in five (17%) anticipated that they were likely to close within the next year, double that in affluent areas.

The Leader of the Opposition and Liberal Democrat Group on Oldham Council, Councillor Howard Sykes, MBE, was disturbed to hear of the findings.  He said:  “Oldham is one of the most deprived Boroughs in the country and my worry is that we could soon see a serious shortfall in local childcare places, meaning that our poorest children will miss out on this valuable provision.  This research has shown that the shortfall in early years funding has risen to more than £50 million in the past year, but this is a minuscule amount compared to overall Government spending.”

Councillor Sykes supports the Fair Future Funding Action Week, launched on 10 June by the Early Years Alliance, a cross-sector campaign of childcare providers and interest groups, calling upon the current Government to restore funding for nursery provision. 

Councillor Sykes added:  “I support the call of those involved with the campaign for the Conservative Government to restore this funding as part of the forthcoming Annual Spending Review.  The impact of cuts has not just fell upon childcare provision itself; almost one in five providers have also been forced to lower the quality of food that they serve to the children in their care.  In a Borough, where our poorest children are going to bed hungry and are reliant on handouts from foodbanks, this will not be good for the long-term health of our children.  The Chancellor Philip Hammond MP has the power to right this wrong by ensuring that future provision for our children is assured.”