Concerns over lack of free childcare spaces

A shortage of childcare places is "of concern" says the report

There will not be enough places for free childcare if all families in Rotherham who qualify take up the offer, a council report has warned.

A number of areas in the borough are anticipated to fall short of meeting demand, including Coleridge, Arnold, Aughton, Aston, Catcliffe and Treeton.

The report said there would also not be enough capacity in Canklow, East Dene, Clifton, Eastwood and the Town Centre if all three-year-old children took up their entitlement.

Currently, all three and four-year-olds are offered 15 hours of free childcare per week as part of a government scheme.

'Areas of concern'

Working parents and those in receipt of certain benefits are entitled to up to 30 hours of free childcare per week.

Families can choose a wide range of childcare options such as childminders, nannies, playschemes, nurseries, schools or clubs.

From September 2024, 15 hours of government-funded childcare will be extended to all children from the age of nine months, and from September 2025, working parents of children under the age of five will be entitled to 30 hours of government-funded childcare a week.

The council report is to be analysed by the local authority's overview and scrutiny board, and states, “There are some areas of concern for the September 2024 and September 2025 stages. 

"Further analysis and monitoring will take place to ensure that there are sufficient places to meet demand.”

Drop in childminders

The report said there was "some early education capacity" for three- and four-year-olds to take up their universal 15-hour entitlement, including any projected increase in capacity needed through new house building.

A childminder start-up grant should encourage more carers into the market, following a drop in the number of registered childminders since the Covid-19 pandemic, it added.

There were also plans to support local authorities to increase the physical space and the number of staff to meet the demands of the new entitlements.

Since last year, the number of childminders in the borough has decreased by 14, and the report said this would not affect the availability of childcare places for children under five.