Childcare Accessibility in Warrington Above National Average, New Figures Show

Childcare accessibility in Warrington above national average, new figures show

New data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has revealed that childcare places available to families in Warrington are above the national average. The figures show that there were 33 childcare places accessible for every 100 children under seven in the area, compared to the national rate of 25 childcare places for every 100 kids in England.

The statistics focus on spatial accessibility, looking at the number of services people can reach near where they live. Across the country, there was a significant disparity between the richest and poorest areas, with nine out of the top ten areas having an above-average gross disposable household income.

In Warrington, the average gross disposable household income was £21,000, lower than the national average of £22,200. Lydia Hodges, head of Coram Family and Childcare, expressed concern over the findings, stating that a well-functioning childcare system is crucial in tackling disadvantage by helping families increase their income and improving educational outcomes for children.

Hodges highlighted that while the expansion of funded childcare is a positive step, shortages and limited eligibility criteria mean that many disadvantaged children do not have access to childcare, putting them at a disadvantage when starting school.

The charity’s annual childcare survey found that 45 percent of councils had enough childcare for the disadvantaged two-year-old entitlement, while just 6 percent had enough places for disabled children. Hodges emphasized the need for reform in the childcare system to address these shortages and ensure all children can benefit from high-quality early education.

The figures also revealed that the proportion of children living in relative poverty was generally higher in areas with lower levels of childcare access, and lower in areas with higher levels of access. In Warrington, 15 percent of children were living in relative poverty as of 2022.

Ofsted, which collaborated on the research, noted that the number of accessible childcare places in Warrington increased to 36 places per 100 children for parents using public transport, but fell to 32 places per 100 children for families relying on driving as their main mode of transport.