A Childcare Sufficiency Assessment (CSA) is a yearly assessment of existing childcare provision in the borough. It compares the supply of childcare against the demand for it, to identify gaps in the childcare market.
What the CSA analyses
As well as getting an overall picture of the borough, the CSA looks at specific parts of the borough (wards) to identify which areas may need further support.
To do this, the CSA will analyse factors such as:
- child population numbers
- childcare vacancies
- childcare costs
- take-up of funded places
- age groups
- children with SEND (special educational needs and disabilities)
- types of childcare available
- childcare provider Ofsted ratings
Why the CSA is important
The CSA is important as it will provide information to make sure there is sufficient and affordable childcare to:
- enable parents and carers to make a choice about getting into and staying in employment and training
- meet the learning needs of children up to 14 years old – or 25 years old for children with SEND
It also provides information for us to support:
- providers to enhance and maintain high-quality services
- families to seek childcare options and help them to access them
- local practitioners by providing a wide range of information and resources, that in turn will benefit families
Our legal responsibility
We have a legal duty to secure sufficient childcare (so far as is reasonably practicable) for working parents or parents who are studying or training for employment.
This is stated in the following acts:
- The Childcare Act 2006
- Apprentices, Skills and Learners Act 2009
- Children and Families Act 2014
We must also:
- report each year to elected council members on how they are meeting their duty to secure sufficient childcare
- make the report available to parents
Childcare Sufficiency Assessment reports