Families speak of struggles as borough loses four HUNDRED childcare places

Almost 400 childcare places have been lost across Oldham borough since 2019, government data has revealed. The borough saw 56 nurseries and childminders de-register and 393 places lost in the last five years.

Towns like Oldham have one of the youngest populations in the UK and a birth rate almost double the national average. Yet young families are increasingly being “left without options”, according to local councillor Howard Sykes MBE, as the borough is beset by nursery closures and oversubscription.

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Councillor Sykes said: “The 15 hours free childcare that parents are entitled to for children over the age of nine months was introduced to help working families and help give peace of mind over childcare pressures. But free hours are no use to anyone if there are no local providers available to take your child.”

House of Commons Library data shows that the number of available places for children has dropped by 20 per cent across the country since 2019. Oldham has lost 21pc.

Meanwhile, costs of private childcare have risen to above inflation levels with part-time placements (25 hours) for under two-year-olds costing on average £158 per week, according to children’s charity Coram. The price hike means many families can’t afford or are having to make ‘serious compromises’ because of childcare provisions.

One Oldham dad, who wished not to be identified, has struggled to find a nursery for his son since his old nursery shut down earlier this year. He said: “The options are very limited now. We can’t afford a private nursery.

“We’ll probably have to bite the bullet and go further afield. Or we’ll have to put him into a sub-standard nursery for a