The Childcare Act 2006 clarified the role of the local authority as the strategic leader in facilitating the childcare market.  It also bestowed a new duty of securing, so far as is reasonably practicable, the provision of childcare sufficient to enable parents to work or to undertake education or training leading to work. Under the Act, Westminster is required to conduct and publish a Childcare Sufficiency Assessment once every three years. This assessment will be used to inform commissioning priorities to facilitate the childcare market.

Childcare Sufficiency takes into account a range of factors about the childcare provision in a local area including:

• Overall supply of childcare places
• Range and cost 
• Accessibility and opening times
• Quality of childcare provision
• Inclusive services
• Sufficient information and knowledge about supply

If you have any queries about the Childcare Sufficiency Assessment, please contact the Childcare Market Manager via e-mail at adevine@westminster.gov.uk