Childcare Sufficiency Assessments

A childcare sufficiency assessment is how a local authority knows whether families can find the childcare they need. Childcare shapes children’s earliest experiences and families’ ability to work, train, and study. Local authorities have a statutory duty to secure sufficient childcare for working parents, and expanding funded entitlements and wraparound childcare have made that duty more demanding than ever. It is understandable that early years teams, already stretched, find it hard to step back and build the full evidence base their decisions need.

Our childcare sufficiency assessments give local authorities a rigorous, independent picture of supply and demand, and clear recommendations for commissioning. Below, we explain what the assessment involves.

What is a childcare sufficiency assessment?

Under the Childcare Act 2006, English local authorities must secure, as far as reasonably practicable, sufficient childcare for working parents and those in training or education, and report regularly to elected members on how they are meeting that duty. A childcare sufficiency assessment is the analysis that underpins that report and the authority’s commissioning decisions.

It looks at how many places exist and where, the take-up of funded entitlements, the needs of different groups of families, the quality and sustainability of provision, and the gaps that need to be addressed. A good assessment goes beyond counting places. It asks whether families, including those with children with SEND and those on low incomes, can access childcare that is affordable, flexible, and good for children.

Who is childcare sufficiency assessment support for?

It is designed for local authority early years and childcare teams preparing their sufficiency assessment or annual report, and authorities planning for growth in funded entitlements or wraparound provision. It also supports authorities wanting an independent review of an existing assessment. Our work sits alongside our wider support for early years settings and local authorities.

What does our childcare sufficiency assessment include?

We shape the assessment around your area, but a typical assessment covers:

• Analysis of childcare supply by type, age, location, and opening hours
• Take-up of funded early education and childcare entitlements
• Demand analysis using population, employment, and housing data
• Parent and carer surveys and focus groups, including under-represented families
• Provider surveys on capacity, workforce, sustainability, and plans
• Access for children with SEND and for disadvantaged families
• Wraparound and holiday childcare for school-age children
• Gap identification by area and group, with recommendations for commissioning

How does a childcare sufficiency assessment help your authority?

How our childcare sufficiency assessment works

• We agree the scope, timeline, data sources, and engagement approach with your team.
• We analyse supply, demand, and take-up data.
• We run parent, carer, and provider surveys and focus groups.
• We identify gaps and test emerging findings with you.
• We deliver the full assessment report, data analysis, and recommendations.

What you get at the end

• A full childcare sufficiency assessment report
• Supporting data analysis and maps
• Clear identification of gaps by area, age, and family group
• Recommendations for commissioning strategy and market development
• A summary suitable for elected members and publication

Key features of our service

Early years expertise
Consultants who understand early years practice, quality, and the realities of running a setting.

Inclusive engagement
Surveys and conversations designed to reach the families most at risk of being missed.

Practical recommendations
Findings that link directly to commissioning and market development decisions.

Frequently asked questions about childcare sufficiency assessment

How often do local authorities report on childcare sufficiency?

Statutory guidance expects local authorities to report to elected council members on how they are meeting their duty to secure sufficient childcare, and to make that report available to parents. Most authorities do this annually, with a fuller assessment behind it.

Does a childcare sufficiency assessment cover wraparound and holiday childcare?

It should. Sufficiency covers childcare for working parents of children up to 14, or up to 18 for disabled children, so wraparound and holiday provision for school-age children are an important part of a complete assessment.

What data is used in a childcare sufficiency assessment?

Assessments typically draw on provider registers and capacity, funded entitlement take-up, population and birth data, employment and housing information, and surveys of parents and providers. Combining data with family voice gives the most accurate picture.

How do you reach parents who rarely respond to surveys?

We work through children’s centres, family hubs, schools, health visitors and community groups, and use short, accessible surveys and conversations. This helps hear from families of children with SEND, low-income families and parents working atypical hours.

What happens after the assessment?

The findings and recommendations inform your annual report, commissioning plans, market development and any capital funding decisions. We can present findings to officers and members and support action planning.

Why choose Jarvis Education for your childcare sufficiency assessment?

We work across the education system, from early years settings to local authorities, and we believe the strongest start in life depends on good, accessible early education and childcare. Our associate consultants bring early years, SEND, and local authority experience, and our approach is rigorous, independent, and always focused on outcomes for young children and their families.

Next steps & how to get started

• Speak to one of our experts. Tell us about your timeline, existing data, and priorities.
• Once we agree the scope, we confirm everything in writing and set out the assessment plan.
• Contact us today to discuss a childcare sufficiency assessment for your authority.
• We are ready to support you in securing the childcare your families need.