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<p>The government is committed to ensuring all parents who are eligible for the 30
hours free childcare entitlement are able to take up a place that suits their childcare
needs.</p><p>Data from the National Statistics release ‘Education Provision for Children
Under 5 Years of Age in England (January 2018)’ suggests around 3 out of 4 eligible
children have taken up some extended hours, however it is not possible to generate
an equivalent figure at local authority level due to the relatively small population
that we are estimating within sub-national geographies. As at 31 January 2019, 5,728
30 hours eligibility codes had been issued in West Sussex for the Spring term, 5,144
of these had been validated and as at 28 March 2019 5, 230 children were taking up
a place in the West Sussex.</p><p>We plan to spend around £3.5 billion on our early
education entitlements this year alone – more than any other government. Our funding
rates for the early education entitlements were based on our Review of Childcare Costs,
described as “thorough and wide ranging” by the National Audit Office. We recognise
the need to keep our evidence base on all aspects of early years sector costs up to
date and we continue to monitor the provider market closely through a range of regular
and one off research projects. That included the 2018 Early Years Provider Costs report
which looked at a representative sample of providers, both in terms of provider type
and geography, and gives an insight into various aspects of the provider market.</p><p>Data
published by Ofsted in November 2018 shows that the number of childcare places available
has remained broadly stable since 2012. Since the rollout of 30 hours commenced in
September 2017, the sector has risen to the challenge with more than 340,000 3 and
4 year old children benefitting from a place and we receive contact regularly from
the sector on this and associated topics. We are now in the second year of national
delivery and an estimated 325,000 children were in a 30 hours place in the spring
term 2019 – this is an increase on the spring term 2018 and 92% of the codes were
issued. Although childcare providers do not have to offer the free 30 hours, our 2018
Providers Survey shows that the majority of providers in England with 3 to 4 year
olds are offering and delivering 30 hours.</p><p>The data relating to the number of
children receiving 30 hours in England is published within tables 5LA and 7LA in the
‘Education Provision for Children under 5 Years of Age (January 2018)’ statistical
publication, available at:</p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/education-provision-children-under-5-years-of-age-january-2018"
target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/education-provision-children-under-5-years-of-age-january-2018</a>.</p>
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