Ofsted annual report: Childcare deserts and more babies in nurseries
The latest Ofsted annual report has been released, with Sir Martyn Oliver setting out that supporting children in their earliest years is the best way to tackle inequalities and disadvantage.
Despite mounting pressures, early years settings continue to shine. 98% were judged ‘outstanding’ or ‘good’ at their last inspection, a testament to the sector’s resilience and commitment to children’s futures.
Childcare deserts are threatening providers
Low funding rates mean settings can’t cover rising costs, especially staff wages. Closures are hitting the hardest in the most deprived areas, creating childcare deserts, where families are struggling to access quality childcare. Boosting early years funding could reverse this and keep nurseries open where they’re needed most.
Food risks and policy gaps
Our most serious case work has involved deeply distressing incidents, including the deaths of babies and very young children in early years settings. While such incidents are rare, they happen during routine care activities, such as sleep, feeding and nappy changing. In these cases, lapses in supervision, insufficient understanding of safe practices, ineffective whistleblowing practices, or inadequate staff training have led to devastating outcomes.
The government’s guidance on voluntary food charges has led to parents sending food into nurseries, raising allergen risks and choking hazards. Nurseries and parents should work together to ensure that nutritious, healthy meals are available for all children.
Workforces are under pressure
Well-trained workforces are the backbone of high-quality care for early years settings, yet recruitment and retention challenges exist. With Ofsted’s grading changing, there’s an opportunity to protect nurseries from financial collapse after minor downgrades. Just like schools, nurseries should be supported to improve and not penalised into closure.
Purnima Tanuku CBE, Executive Chair of National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) said:
“It is a testament to the hard work and commitment of nurseries and early years settings that, despite all the challenges they are facing, 98% were judged as good or outstanding at their latest inspection. It shows that nurseries are where the best start is already happening for many of our youngest children.
“We agree with Sir Martyn that supporting children in their earliest years is the best way to tackle inequalities and disadvantage. Unfortunately due to Government funding rates not covering delivery costs, nurseries are most likely to go out of business in areas of deprivation, leading to childcare deserts. Boosting funding rates could reverse this trend and support many more families.
“The commentary about the safety and wellbeing of babies is more important than ever with a big increase in under twos in nursery. More babies are attending nursery and for more hours. It’s vital that nursery staff are fully supported with safer sleeping and safer eating training, resources and knowledge.
“One area to address is that Government funding does not include meals and snacks for children. Government changes in guidelines has led to a flurry of parents sending food into nursery, which increases the risk for children with allergies. Currently the Government guidance advises parents that nursery charges for food are voluntary, therefore embedding this risk rather than working with the sector to manage it.
“With the Ofsted grading framework changing, this is an opportunity to protect nurseries from losing funding for any slight downgrade. Like schools, these settings should be supported to improve rather than losing 80% of their income overnight which could threaten their sustainability and reduce available places.”
You can read the full Ofsted annual report here.
- England
- early education
- early years
- NDNA
- Ofsted
Similar Articles
EYFS results: Children overall making better progress
Budget 2025: measures to reduce child poverty but little for nursery businesses
