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<p>The number of private, voluntary and independent providers that are registered
on the Early Years Register as of 31 March 2023 was 22,691.</p><p> </p><p>The latest
available data for December 2023 shows that the number of private, voluntary and independent
providers that are registered on the Early Years Register was 22,490, which is 201
less than in March 2023, and a percentage change of 0.9%.</p><p> </p><p>The department
has not made a forecast estimation of the likely proportionate change in providers
by September 2024 or September 2025.</p><p> </p><p>It is important to note however
that this is not an accurate measure of capacity in the sector. The latest Childcare
and Early Years Provider Survey (2023) shows that the number of Early Years places
has increased by 40,000 in 2023 compared with 2018. At the same time, the total population
of 0 to 5 year olds has declined by 1% per year every year from 2018 to 2022, according
to the latest available Office for National Statistics data.</p>
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