Key Findings from the Rotherham Childcare Sufficiency Report 2023/24
There is sufficient childcare / early education capacity based on current take-up levels with some spare capacity across all age ranges, however, there is limited availability for out of school childcare at specific schools.
Choice and Availability
- The total number of childcare / early education providers (including school Foundation 1 classes, Day Nurseries, Pre-Schools, Childminders and Out of School providers) has increased slightly since 2022 from 416 to 421
- There are 219 early years childcare providers in Rotherham offering daycare to children aged between 0 and 5 years old, 21 out of school clubs offering a combination of breakfast / after school and holiday care (plus 79 breakfast clubs provided by primary schools) and 73 Foundation 1 classes.
- Most areas of the borough have a range of childcare provision available (Day Nurseries, Pre-Schools, Childminders and Out of School provision)
- Childcare provision is available before 8am in all areas and most areas have childcare available after 6pm. Availability of childcare at weekends varies from area to area
- The majority of primary schools in Rotherham have some level of after school childcare (delivered either by an Out of School Club or Childminders) - Section 4.3 and Appendix 5.
- There is some spare childcare capacity across all areas
- There is some early education capacity across all areas for three and four year olds to take up their universal 15 hour entitlement, including projected increase in capacity needed through new house building; however, there would not be sufficient capacity in the Coleridge (Canklow, East Dene / Clifton and Eastwood / Town Centre) area if all three year old children wished to take up their entitlement
- There is some early education capacity across all areas for eligible three and four year olds to take up the extended 30 hour entitlement, however, there would not be sufficient capacity in the in Coleridge, Arnold and in Aughton (Aughton / Aston, Catcliffe / Treeton and Whiston) if all eligible children wished to take up their full entitlement.
- There is some early education capacity for two year olds in all areas of the borough including projected increase in capacity needed through new house building; however, there would not be sufficient capacity in the Coleridge (Canklow) areas if all eligible two year old children wished to take up their full entitlement.
- Unmet demand: There has been six instances of unmet demand in the period 01/09/22 and 31/08/23, all needing out of school care at Sitwell Infants, Canklow Woods Primary, Badsley Moor Lane Primary, Kilnhurst Primary, Rawmarsh Sandhill Primary and Aston Fence Junior and Infants indicating limited availability at childcare providers servicing these schools.
Costs
- The average costs of childcare in Rotherham are significantly lower than the national average costs
- The cost of childcare for a full day in Rotherham ranges from £31.82 to £68.50 depending on the type of provider and geographical area
- The average childcare costs in Rotherham have increased slightly for group daycare providers (Day Nurseries) and Childminders.
Quality
- The quality of childcare provision in Rotherham remains above the National and Yorkshire & Humber levels at 97.6% of providers with a ‘Good’ or ‘Outstanding’ Ofsted judgement in 2023.
Expansion of Early Years Entitlements
- The expansion to early years entitlements is planned to roll out between April 2024 and September 2025. Projections show that there should be sufficient availability for the April 2024 stage of the roll out but 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.
Summary
There is currently adequate childcare and early education provision in the borough to meet needs for 0 – 5 year olds. However, there is a risk that there will not be sufficient provision in a small number of areas for all eligible children to take up their early education entitlement. Unmet demand also indicates lack of availability of out of school childcare at specific schools.
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