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Sharp increase in nursery closures over the summer rings 'alarm bells' for the winter

Policy & Politics Provision Research Business
Around 65 per cent more nurseries have closed this term compared to the same time last year, according to new research.
According to the NDNA, there has been a 65 rise in the number of nurseries closing this summer term compared to last year, PHOTO Adobe Stock
According to the NDNA, there has been a 65 rise in the number of nurseries closing this summer term compared to last year, PHOTO Adobe Stock

National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) has been tracking nursery closures since the 30 hours of funded childcare was introduced in 2017 through member data and publicly available reports, checked against Ofsted’s register.

It found between April and July, 33 nurseries closed, which it says is a 65 per cent increase on the number that closed the same time last year.

Of these, more than a third were in the 30 per cent most deprived boroughs, with 15 per cent of closures in the 10 per cent most deprived wards. This compares to just 8 per cent of closures in the 10 per cent most affluent parts of the country.

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