The Childcare Sufficiency Assessment is a measurement of the supply of and demand for childcare in the local area.
The Childcare Act 2006 gives local authorities a key role in shaping the childcare market in their area to create a strong, sustainable and diverse childcare market to meet the needs of parents.
In order to fulfil the duties placed on them, local authorities have a strategic role to play in assessing need and commissioning services in their area. The Childcare Sufficiency Assessment is a measurement of the supply of and demand for childcare within the local area.
Sufficient childcare, in Section 6 of the 2006 Act, is defined as 'sufficient to meet the requirements of parents who require childcare in order to enable them to take up, or remain in, work, or to undertake education or training which could reasonably be expected to assist them to obtain work.
At its core, the Assessment provides an analysis of supply and demand highlighting potential childcare gaps to enable the local authority to manage the childcare market.
We have used local and national data together with information from local surveys of parents, childcare providers and employers to map the supply of and demand for childcare in Gloucestershire. All of the information is contained in the Childcare Sufficiency Report for Gloucestershire. The report identifies where there are childcare gaps and the strategy and action that will take place to address gaps, especially in areas of greatest need.
If you have any questions or require further information please email
earlyyearsteam@gloucestershire.gov.uk and we will be happy to respond.