{"id":25,"date":"2015-06-16T14:00:43","date_gmt":"2015-06-16T13:00:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/beta.devon.gov.uk\/eycsproviders\/?page_id=25"},"modified":"2026-01-19T10:51:53","modified_gmt":"2026-01-19T10:51:53","slug":"childcare-sufficiency","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/eycs\/for-providers\/childcare-sufficiency\/","title":{"rendered":"Childcare sufficiency"},"content":{"rendered":"<ul class=\"accordion \" data-accordion data-allow-all-closed=\"true\" data-multi-expand=\"true\" ><li class=\"accordion-item\" data-accordion-item>\r\n<a href=\"#mac1\" id=\"head1\" role=\"tab\" class=\"accordion-title\" aria-controls=\"mac1\">What is childcare sufficiency? <\/a><div id=\"mac1\" aria-labelledby=\"head1\" class=\"accordion-content\" data-tab-content><div class=\"targetclass\" >\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.legislation.gov.uk\/ukpga\/2006\/21\/section\/6\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Section 6 of the Childcare Act 2006<\/a> requires local authorities to ensure there is sufficient childcare to meet the needs of parents and carers with children aged up to 14 years old (or up to 18 years old for disabled children and children with additional needs) to enable them to take up or remain in work, or undertake training that could assist them to obtain work.<\/p>\n<p>Childcare sufficiency is more than just making sure there is \u2018enough\u2019 childcare. It is also about:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>making sure that the childcare is available, accessible and affordable so that parents have the opportunity to use childcare in their area<\/li>\n<li>making sure it is of good quality so that it benefits the child<\/li>\n<li>and providing parents with a choice of childcare so they can choose the childcare that meets their needs.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n<li class=\"accordion-item\" data-accordion-item>\r\n<a href=\"#mac2\" id=\"head2\" role=\"tab\" class=\"accordion-title\" aria-controls=\"mac2\">Why do we complete a childcare sufficiency assessment? <\/a><div id=\"mac2\" aria-labelledby=\"head2\" class=\"accordion-content\" data-tab-content><div class=\"targetclass\" >\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.legislation.gov.uk\/ukpga\/2006\/21\/section\/11\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Section 11 of the Childcare Act 2006<\/a>, requires local authorities to assess the sufficiency of childcare in their area.<\/p>\n<p>Under the Department for Education\u2019s (DfE) <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/publications\/early-education-and-childcare--2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Early Education and Childcare: Statutory Guidance for Local Authorities<\/a>, Devon County Council should report annually to elected council members on how they are meeting their duty to secure sufficient childcare and make this report available and accessible to parents. This guidance also sets out what should be included in this report.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n<li class=\"accordion-item\" data-accordion-item>\r\n<a href=\"#mac3\" id=\"head3\" role=\"tab\" class=\"accordion-title\" aria-controls=\"mac3\">Childcare Sufficiency Annual Reports <\/a><div id=\"mac3\" aria-labelledby=\"head3\" class=\"accordion-content\" data-tab-content><div class=\"targetclass\" >\n<p>The <a class=\"ext-link\" title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/eycs\/for-providers\/childcare-sufficiency\/childcare-sufficiency-assessment\/\" rel=\"external nofollow\">Childcare Sufficiency Assessment Annual Reports<\/a> set out to demonstrate how Devon County Council is meeting its duty to secure sufficient childcare and the actions for the year ahead.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/devoncc.sharepoint.com\/:w:\/s\/PublicDocs\/Education\/IQADhuPQlNuVQ58DmJZgLc2UAanYAXzs3kIcSeZPcgc3ZyI?e=Vq2rmn\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Childcare Sufficiency Assessment Annual Report 2024-25<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n<li class=\"accordion-item\" data-accordion-item>\r\n<a href=\"#mac4\" id=\"head4\" role=\"tab\" class=\"accordion-title\" aria-controls=\"mac4\">Childcare sufficiency hot spots? <\/a><div id=\"mac4\" aria-labelledby=\"head4\" class=\"accordion-content\" data-tab-content><div class=\"targetclass\" >\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u2018<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Hot spots<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u2019<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> are areas where the Early Years and Childcare Service need to take action to ensure there is sufficient<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, flexible<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> early years and childcare provision<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"auto\">for parents to undertake work or training<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> and for children to access their entitlement to early education<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559738&quot;:200,&quot;335559739&quot;:200}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">A hot spot <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">will often be determined <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">by factors beyond the control of the Early Years and Childcare Service.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559738&quot;:200,&quot;335559739&quot;:200}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">A hot spot could be:<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559738&quot;:200,&quot;335559739&quot;:200}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">A geographical area where more places are needed<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;335559738&quot;:200,&quot;335559739&quot;:200}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">A need for more places for a specific age group of children<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;335559738&quot;:200,&quot;335559739&quot;:200}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" data-aria-posinset=\"3\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">A need for childcare at a <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">particular time<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> of the day<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;335559738&quot;:200,&quot;335559739&quot;:200}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" data-aria-posinset=\"4\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">A need for childcare during specific weeks of the year<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;335559738&quot;:200,&quot;335559739&quot;:200}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" data-aria-posinset=\"4\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">A need to increase the take up of the universal entitlement<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;335559738&quot;:200,&quot;335559739&quot;:200}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" data-aria-posinset=\"4\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">A need to increase the take up of the extended entitlement<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;335559738&quot;:200,&quot;335559739&quot;:200}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" data-aria-posinset=\"4\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">A need to increase the take up of hours of the universal entitlement<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;335559738&quot;:200,&quot;335559739&quot;:200}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" data-aria-posinset=\"4\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">A need to increase the take up of hours of the extended entitlement<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;335559738&quot;:200,&quot;335559739&quot;:200}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" data-aria-posinset=\"4\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">A need to increase providers that can offer the extended entitlement (30 hours)<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;335559738&quot;:200,&quot;335559739&quot;:200}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" data-aria-posinset=\"4\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">A need for a provider that is open all year to stretch the funding over more than 38 weeks<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;335559738&quot;:200,&quot;335559739&quot;:200}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" data-aria-posinset=\"4\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">A need to target providers that are not registered for Tax-Free Childcare<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;335559738&quot;:200,&quot;335559739&quot;:200}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" data-aria-posinset=\"4\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">An area where n<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">ew housing <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">is <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">planned<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;335559738&quot;:200,&quot;335559739&quot;:200}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" data-aria-posinset=\"4\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">An area where there is a f<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">alling birth rate<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;335559738&quot;:200,&quot;335559739&quot;:200}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" data-aria-posinset=\"4\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">An area where there is a r<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">ising birth rate<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;335559738&quot;:200,&quot;335559739&quot;:200}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" data-aria-posinset=\"4\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">An area of <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">low quality<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> provision \u2013 high percentage of providers graded a<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">s requires improvement or inadequate by Ofsted.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;335559738&quot;:200,&quot;335559739&quot;:200}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The childcare sufficiency hot spots are identified in the latest <a href=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/eycs\/for-providers\/childcare-sufficiency\/childcare-sufficiency-assessment\/\">Childcare Sufficiency Annual Report<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>For further information please e-mail <a href=\"mailto:childcareinfo@devon.gov.uk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">childcareinfo@devon.gov.uk<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n<li class=\"accordion-item\" data-accordion-item>\r\n<a href=\"#mac5\" id=\"head5\" role=\"tab\" class=\"accordion-title\" aria-controls=\"mac5\">New and developing childcare businesses <\/a><div id=\"mac5\" aria-labelledby=\"head5\" class=\"accordion-content\" data-tab-content><div class=\"targetclass\" >\n<p>Are you thinking of developing a new early years and childcare business or expanding your current business? Are you unsure where to start? Please visit our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/eycs\/for-providers\/childcare-sufficiency\/new-and-developing-early-years-and-childcare-businesses-page\/\">New and developing early years and childcare businesses page<\/a> for more information.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n<li class=\"accordion-item\" data-accordion-item>\r\n<a href=\"#mac6\" id=\"head6\" role=\"tab\" class=\"accordion-title\" aria-controls=\"mac6\">Who should parents contact if they cannot find childcare? <\/a><div id=\"mac6\" aria-labelledby=\"head6\" class=\"accordion-content\" data-tab-content><div class=\"targetclass\" >\n<p>If you are a parent, unable to find suitable childcare, please contact the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/educationandfamilies\/family-support\/childcare-brokerage\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Childcare Brokerage Service\u00a0<\/a>who will be able to help you. It is important that you let us know so that it can aid planning. Demand for childcare is the amount of childcare parents require across Devon and is key to determining what is \u2018sufficient\u2019. In Devon, we monitor the enquiries to\u00a0the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/educationandfamilies\/early-years-and-childcare\/devon-family-information-directory\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Family Information Service\u00a0<\/a>from parents looking for childcare to determine where there is demand. Therefore, if you are a parent unable to find suitable childcare, it is important that you report this back to Devon County Council. Please complete a feedback form below:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/educationandfamilies\/family-support\/childcare-brokerage\/unable-to-find-suitable-childcare\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Unable to find suitable childcare &#8211; Feedback Form<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n<li class=\"accordion-item\" data-accordion-item>\r\n<a href=\"#mac7\" id=\"head7\" role=\"tab\" class=\"accordion-title\" aria-controls=\"mac7\">Parents Childcare Survey <\/a><div id=\"mac7\" aria-labelledby=\"head7\" class=\"accordion-content\" data-tab-content><div class=\"targetclass\" >\n<p>Whether you use childcare or not, your voice counts. The answers you give in this <a href=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/eycs\/for-providers\/childcare-sufficiency\/parents-childcare-survey\/\">short survey<\/a> will help the early years and childcare team in Devon County Council to plan and make sure there is enough childcare for you to work or train. This data is being collected to assess the need for childcare and will be used with information from childcare providers to determine the sufficiency of childcare provision in Devon.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n<li class=\"accordion-item\" data-accordion-item>\r\n<a href=\"#mac8\" id=\"head8\" role=\"tab\" class=\"accordion-title\" aria-controls=\"mac8\">Early Years Entitlement complaints procedure <\/a><div id=\"mac8\" aria-labelledby=\"head8\" class=\"accordion-content\" data-tab-content><div class=\"targetclass\" >\n<p>If you are not satisfied that your child has received their free place or are not satisfied with any aspect of the way in which you have received it please tell us by going to our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/haveyoursay\/feedback-and-complaints\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">complaints contact page<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Alternatively, you can contact us:<\/p>\n<p>Phone: 01392 385530<\/p>\n<p>Early Years and Childcare Service<br \/>\nRoom 170, County Hall<br \/>\nTopsham Road<br \/>\nExeter<br \/>\nEX2 4QD<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/li>\n<li class=\"accordion-item\" data-accordion-item>\r\n<a href=\"#mac9\" id=\"head9\" role=\"tab\" class=\"accordion-title\" aria-controls=\"mac9\">Further information <\/a><div id=\"mac9\" aria-labelledby=\"head9\" class=\"accordion-content\" data-tab-content><div class=\"targetclass\" >\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/educationandfamilies\/early-years-and-childcare\/devon-family-information-directory\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Devon\u2019s family information service<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/eycs\/for-providers\/business-finance-and-funding\/early-education-for-2-3-and-4-year-olds\/\">Early Years Entitlement Funding for Under 5s<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/policies?keywords=&amp;topics[]=children-and-young-people&amp;departments[]=department-for-education\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Department for Education (DfE)<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/li><\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":0,"parent":6,"menu_order":19,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"class_list":["post-25","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-04-26 14:57:31","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"division","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/eycs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/25","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/eycs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/eycs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/eycs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/eycs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=25"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/eycs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/25\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":19237,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/eycs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/25\/revisions\/19237"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/eycs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/6"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/eycs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=25"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}