Decision

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

a)     Approve the Childcare Sufficiency Assessment 2025.

b)     Subject to point a), notes the Council will proceed with publication and implementation of the Childcare Sufficiency Assessment, with ongoing monitoring of equality impacts through annual review and childcare market oversight. 

c)     Note that the development of inclusive childcare places for children with SEND directly with underrepresented communities through integrated, locality-based approaches that respond to identifies demographic need will be prioritised. 

REASONS RESOLVED:

The recommendations ensure that West Northamptonshire Council fulfils its statutory duty under Section 6 of the Childcare Act 2006 to undertake an annual review of the Childcare Sufficiency Assessment (CSA) (The findings will be published on the Council’s website and accessible to parents, carers and stakeholders). 

The assessment will help support prospective and potential new early years providers to develop provision in areas where there are identified gaps in childcare sufficiency benefiting children and families in West Northamptonshire.

The findings will inform future forecasting of early years and childcare demand associated with housing growth and support consideration of S106 contributions in response to emerging and anticipated need. 

The proposals outlined in the action plan align with the Governments Best Start in Life ambitions by supporting access to early education entitlements and helping to reduce inequalities in outcomes, particularly for children with SEND and disadvantaged families. The findings identify key strategic priorities and provide a framework for the targeted allocation of DfE capital funding and future school-based nursery development, ensuring provision is focused on the appropriate age groups and geographical areas of need.

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS: 

The Council continues to take a targeted and strategic approach to addressing identified sufficiency gaps within available resources. Capital funding from the School-Based Nursery (SBN) Programme and the early years expansion has been prioritised to support the creation of additional places in areas of highest deficit, as identified through the Childcare Sufficiency Assessment. This includes investment in new and expanded provision within school-based settings to maximise sustainable capacity. In parallel, the Council is working closely with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) colleagues to strengthen the use of data and parental feedback to better understand unmet need, particularly for children with additional or complex needs. This collaborative approach is intended to ensure that future capital investment is effectively targeted, enabling the development of inclusive provision and addressing gaps in both sufficiency and accessibility across the local childcare market

Gaps remain in wraparound and holiday childcare provision across a number of wards. Through the Delivery of the Department for Education (DfE) Wraparound Programme, 35 funded projects had created 573 operational places as of December 2025. A further 218 places became operational by March 2026, increasing the total number of places delivered to 823 by Summer 2026. This total reflects some adjustment for the closure of two provisions due to sustainability or compliance issues.