Local authorities have a statutory duty under the Childcare Act 2006 to secure sufficient childcare provision to meet the needs of families in their area. This includes regularly assessing local demand, identifying any gaps in provision, and working with providers and partners to ensure that childcare places are available, accessible, and responsive to the needs of children and families.

The Children and Families Act 2014 further strengthens this responsibility by requiring local authorities to provide regular updates on childcare sufficiency to elected members, ensuring effective oversight, accountability, and strategic planning.

Transparency is also a key requirement. Local authorities must make information about childcare availability publicly accessible, enabling parents and carers to make informed decisions about the childcare options available within their community and supporting families to access the provision that best meets their needs.

Key responsibilities of local authorities

• Assessing the childcare needs of local families
• Monitoring the supply, accessibility, and quality of childcare provision
• Identifying and addressing gaps in childcare availability
• Reporting childcare sufficiency to elected members
• Publishing information on childcare services to support parental choice

This work helps to ensure that families can access appropriate childcare, supports parental employment and training, and contributes to positive outcomes for children.

Early years and childcare sufficiency report

View our childcare sufficiency report

View our childcare sufficiency assessment academic year 2024-25

Using local childcare sufficiency data

Local authorities hold the most up-to-date district-level data, providing valuable insight into the current childcare and early years landscape. This information helps childcare providers, professionals, and decision-makers understand local trends, identify emerging needs, and support strategic planning across the sector.

The data also plays a crucial role in ensuring that resources and funding are distributed effectively. It supports the accurate allocation of funding streams, including Best Start funding and the Early Years Pupil Premium (EYPP), helping to target support where it is needed most and improve outcomes for children and families.

Information is available across a wide range of areas, including:

• Childcare availability and capacity
• Funded childcare places, including Best Start entitlements
• New childcare provision, openings and closures
• Quality and inspection outcomes
• Workforce and employment figures
• Birth rates and population projections
• Child and public health indicators
• Free School Meal eligibility
• Ward-level demographic data
• Child development and educational outcomes
• Economic wellbeing and deprivation indicators

By bringing together these datasets, local authorities can assess childcare sufficiency, identify gaps in provision, support future planning, and ensure that families have access to high-quality childcare that meets their needs. This evidence-based approach supports informed decision-making at both local and strategic levels, helping to improve outcomes for children, families, and communities.