New modelling from independent research agency Ceeda has found that childcare providers in England were operating at average occupancy levels of just 37% on June 8, compared to 77% in spring 2019. The report suggests that early years providers would still face significant losses even if more parents started taking up childcare places again as the lockdown eases due to inadequate Government funding. It comes as figures on Wednesday revealed that the number of childcare providers registered with Ofsted fell by around 600 over the first three months of the year. He added: "Ministers must now commit to providing the financial support that childcare providers need to remain sustainable throughout this crisis and beyond. This is already putting businesses, jobs and childcare places at risk."

Source: Daily Mirror June 24, 2020 23:01 UTC