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The number of nurseries, childminders and out-of-school clubs has dropped dramatically since last summer, official figures reveal, as early years organisations blame the recession for driving providers out of business.
Ofsted statistics on the number of registered childcare providers and places in England show that there are now at least 8,181 fewer childcare providers than there were at the end of August. At the end of December 2008 the number of group settings was down by 6,510 and there were 1,671 fewer childminders. Figures for the end of March, due next month, are expected to reveal a bleaker picture.
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The National Childminding Association is monitoring numbers to help support childminders' businesses. Andrew Fletcher, NCMA director of communications, said, 'It is a concern that the number of childcare providers has declined across the sector, as any reduction in provision reduces the choice for parents. There could be a number of reasons for this, not least the pressures of remaining sustainable in difficult economic conditions.'
A DCSF spokesperson said Ofsted's registered childcare providers and places figures from August 2008 and December 2008 were not comparable. 'The fact that those totals differ does not mean childcare provision has shrunk markedly over the four-month period.
The difference may be due to a number of factors, including: schools no longer having to register provision for children aged three and above if they are directly providing early learning for at least some of their own pupils; that only out-of-school providers for undereights are now obliged to register; and that creches are now exempt from compulsory registration.'
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- reprinted from Nursery World