Childcare Sufficiency Assessment

As part of our sufficiency duties, West Northamptonshire Council's Early Education and Childcare Team has published a full Childcare Sufficiency Assessment for 2025.

This assessment captures and evaluates the current local childcare market in West Northamptonshire and is a valuable resource in enabling WNC to make informed, strategic decisions in the planning, supporting, and the commissioning of childcare.

The findings of the analysis will help to shape the childcare we supply and strategically manage the market to ensure that there is sufficient, high quality, flexible childcare that is affordable and meets the needs of parents and carers.
Any gaps that are identified will be addressed through strategic planning and targeted resources.

The 2025 assessment considers the recent Childcare Reforms: the expansion of the Early Years Entitlements and Wraparound Childcare.

This full Childcare Sufficiency Assessment will be followed by a smaller scale Market Position Statement for 2026 which will focus primarily on 0-5 years childcare supply and demand in order to measure sufficiency and highlight any areas for concern.

For further information or queries regarding childcare sufficiency please email [email protected]. 

Last updated 30 July 2026