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Councils map provision to spot childcare gaps

Local authorities are focusing on existing provision as they start to carry out assessments of childcare as part of their new duties under the Childcare Act. Nursery World spoke to three local authorities who are at various stages of their childcare sufficiency assessments, which must be completed by 2008.

Nursery World spoke to three local authorities who are at various stages of their childcare sufficiency assessments, which must be completed by 2008.

Wakefield Metropolitan Borough Council, Herefordshire County Council and Newcastle City Council have all conducted mapping and local audits and say they are keen to establish a more detailed picture of supply and demand.

Karen Josse, efficiency and sustainability manager in Wakefield Early Years Service, said, 'We're very much looking at linking with private and voluntary providers for the second phase of children's centres. We don't want to duplicate services and want to make sure existing providers remain sustainable.'

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