• Latest news
  • RSS feeds
• Find recent news
• Ofsted News
• Media Centre

Press release: Ofsted statistics show a rise in the number of childminders

Associated resources

After a long period of decline, the number of childcare providers in England has now risen steadily since September last year. Prior to this numbers had fallen each quarter since the end of 2008.

• Childminders make up sixty per cent of childcare providers registered with Ofsted and numbers are continuing to increase with 1,484 more childminders since September 2010. 
• The number of larger providers of childcare on non-domestic premises, such as nurseries and crèches, is not increasing.
• Around ten percent of providers work in the child’s own home: their numbers have grown steadily over the last three years.

This quarter is the first time the total number of childcare providers has exceeded the number registered in December 2008.

Quarterly statistics published today by Ofsted show the number of childcare providers registered on the Early Years Register and the Childcare Register, and the number of places offered by those registered on the Early Years Register. The analysis of movement in the childcare sector shows the number of providers that leave and join the sector and, at the local authority level, providers that remain active but move to another local authority.

There were 96,496 childcare providers registered with Ofsted at 30 September 2011, up from a low of 93,241 providers at the end of September 2010. Before this low point the numbers had been declining for several years.

The number of providers of childcare on non-domestic premises, such as nurseries, has been declining since December 2008. There was a net fall in numbers of 185 providers during this quarter, a 0.7 per cent reduction since June 2011.

The number of Early Years Registered childcare places reached 1,309,366 at 30 September 2011. Similar to the recent trend observed in provider numbers, total childcare places have also increased recently and have now almost reached the number of places registered as at 31 March 2010.

Notes to Editors:

1. The Childcare provider and Places statistics as at 30 September 2011 can be found on the Ofsted website at: www.ofsted.gov.uk/resources/registered-childcare-providers-and-places-england-december-2008-onwards
2. Providers and places statistics show the position at the end of the quarter for all active providers. In the interactive publication, users may also select the end position at each month within the quarter. Charts show the number of providers by provision type, trends over time.
3. The Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills (Ofsted) regulates and inspects to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.
4. Media can contact the Ofsted Press Office through 020 7421 6899 or via Ofsted's enquiry line 0300 1231231 between 8.30am - 6.30pm Monday - Friday. Out of these hours, during evenings and weekends, the duty press officer can be reached on 07919 057359

Associated resources

• Registered childcare providers and places in England - December 2008 onwards

Share this

Google Plus One