People living in the most deprived areas of the country are receiving poorer quality childcare. Quality Childcare shows that over three quarters (79%) of nurseries and childminders were judged ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted last year compared to only 64% of nurseries and childminders in the most deprived areas of the country. The figures are calculated on a neighbourhood by neighbourhood level.

Ofsted ratings from last year show that the most affluent areas of the country receive almost two times the level of top quality childcare provision compared to the most deprived areas. There are also three times as many outstanding providers when comparing the least and most deprived local authorities in England.