Almost 400 childcare places lost across the borough in last five years

Almost 400 childcare places have been lost across Oldham borough since 2019, government data has revealed.

The borough saw 56 nurseries and childminders de-register - adding up to 393 places - in the last five years. 

Towns like Oldham have one of the youngest populations in the UK and a birth rate almost double the national average.

Yet young families are increasingly being “left without options”, according to local councillor Howard Sykes MBE, as the borough is beset by nursery closures and oversubscription. 

Councillor Sykes said: “The 15 hours free childcare that parents are entitled to for children over the age of nine months was introduced to help working families and help give peace of mind over childcare pressures.

"But free hours are no use to anyone if there are no local providers available to take your child.”

House of Commons Library data shows that the number of available places for children has dropped by 20 per cent across the country since 2019.

Oldham has lost 21pc.

Meanwhile, costs of private childcare have risen to above inflation levels with part-time placements (25 hours) for under two-year-olds costing on average £158 per week, according to children’s charity Coram.

The price hike means many families can’t afford or are having to make ‘serious compromises’ because of childcare provisions. 

One Oldham dad, who wished not to be identified, has struggled to find a nursery for his son since his old nursery shut down earlier this year.

He said: “The options are very limited now. We can’t afford a private nursery. 

“We’ll probably have to bite the bullet and go further afield.

"Or we’ll have to put him into a sub-standard nursery for a year until he can move to reception.

“It’s not nice. It’s stressful. You want to do well by your kids.” 

He added that if they had to move to a nursery further away, it would be ‘hard to juggle’ drop-off and pick-up times as both him and his partner work full time. 

Phil, a father from Dobcross, felt he was also forced into difficult decisions by the lack of available options. 

He said: “We had a little girl three months ago and we’re already thinking ‘Where does she go?’ 

“As so many local nurseries are shutting, you’re limited to more expensive options.

"We’re looking at private nurseries but it’s like an additional mortgage payment each month.

"It makes it difficult even with the increased government funding.

“When my wife goes back from maternity leave we won’t necessarily be better off, we’ll just be working to fund the childcare.” 

Phil had recently gone to visit a possible future nursery for his baby daughter.

“We were told that they often had pregnant ladies coming in,” he said.

“Because there’s so few places and they’re just so desperate to get their children in.” 

The Conservative government rolled out a free childcare scheme in April this year, which gave eligible working parents of 2-year-olds access to 15 hours free childcare.

A second part of the scheme, to be rolled out in September, will see the same provisions available to little ones over nine months. 

But some have raised concerns about whether current provisions will actually be able to meet the increased childcare offer. 

Councillor Sykes said: “The government urgently needs to review the rates it pays providers to ensure they cover the actual costs of delivering high-quality childcare and early years education.”

A Government spokesperson said: “For too long, quality early years education has been unavailable or unaffordable, and it is often the most disadvantaged families that miss out.

“Through our plans to use primary school classrooms, recruit more staff through a re-energised recruitment campaign and deliver improved early language and maths support, we will build a system that ensures the best start for every child.

“The early years are pivotal to our children’s life chances and this Government will treat them that way.”

---

Do you have a story for us? Want to tell us about something going on in and around Oldham? Let us know by emailing news@oldham-chronicle.co.uk , calling our Oldham-based newsroom on 0161 633 2121 , tweeting us @oldhamchronicle or messaging us through our Facebook page. All contact will be treated in confidence.