Childcare sufficiency report 2025

Key findings

During 2024 to 2025, we have implemented the final phase of the national childcare reforms. Lincolnshire has experienced significant growth in the childcare sector, ensuring families across the county have access to the places they need.

We continue to:

  • balance supply and demand: Lincolnshire continues to maintain a strong balance between the availability of childcare places and the needs of all families
  • support working families: with the expansion of funded childcare, offering 30 hours for children from 9 months to school age, the county is actively preparing to meet increased demand from September 2025
  • ensure quality and accessibility: we are working closely with providers to ensure childcare remains high-quality, accessible, and affordable for all families

The latest parental survey shows that 82% of parents now have access to the childcare they need, an encouraging 18% increase compared to the 2024 survey. This reflects the continued progress in expanding and improving childcare provision across Lincolnshire.

Early years and childcare across Lincolnshire has seen significant growth in the last year to ensure it meets the parental demand following the expansion of funded childcare. The bullet points below show the places by age range that have been opened in the last year with the support of government grant funding.

Number of additional places available:

  • under 2s: 168
  • 2-year-olds: 151
  • 3 and 4-year-olds: 194

We continue to work closely with the early years sector to develop places in areas of the county where a clear need has been identified. This targeted approach ensures that available funding is directed where it is most needed, supporting families and improving access to early education.

In addition, Lincolnshire has successfully secured seven bids through the Department for Education’s school-based nursery capital programme. This achievement will result in the creation of 117 new childcare places during the 2025 to 2026 academic year, further strengthening the county’s early years infrastructure.

Availability of out of school childcare has been assessed through the wraparound programme. This additional Government initiative continues to meet the needs of families across the county for school-aged children. The Programme has significantly expanded access to before and after-school childcare across the county, supporting working families and enhancing local childcare infrastructure. Further details about this programme are included in annex A.

Introduction

Securing sufficient childcare allows parents to work when childcare places are available, accessible and affordable and are delivered flexibly in a range of high-quality settings.

Local authorities are required by legislation to secure sufficient childcare for children aged 0 to 14 (or up to 18 for disabled children), so far as is reasonably practicable, for:

  • working parents
  • parents who are studying or training for employment

To carry out this duty in Lincolnshire, the following is considered:

  • the local childcare market, including the supply and demand that currently exists
  • the local labour market, including the sufficiency of the local childcare workforce
  • the quality and capacity of childcare providers and childminders registered with a childminder agency, including their funding, staff, premises
  • where existing providers might expand their provision and new providers entering the local childcare market
  • the sustainability of the childcare market
  • ensure parents understand the childcare available to them and encourage them to access the government funding available to support the cost of childcare

In this report, we will:

  • clarify how we are securing sufficient childcare to meet the needs of children and families in Lincolnshire, including those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), and access to government funding, for children aged 9 months to 5 years
  • demonstrate the places that we have developed in the last academic year to support the increased demand generated by the childcare reforms
  • provide information about the current and projected supply and demand of childcare for children, and the affordability, accessibility, and quality of provision
  • identify how gaps in childcare provision will be addressed
  • describe how the wraparound programme has created places across the county to meet the childcare needs of parents of school-aged children

Lincolnshire surveys

We completed our childcare sufficiency assessment (CSA) during the spring term of 2025. The primary objective of the CSA is to inform strategic planning and ensure compliance with the statutory duty to secure sufficient childcare provision across the county.

Data collection and methodology

The CSA is underpinned by comprehensive data gathered from two key sources:

  1. survey of registered childcare providers and schools
    • data collection period: 3 March to 16 March 2025
    • reference week: census week commencing 24 February 2025
    • total providers surveyed: 621
    • response rate: 99%
  2. survey of Lincolnshire parents
    • data collection period: 17 February to 18 March 2025
    • promotion channels:
      • social media
      • childcare providers
      • children’s centres
      • websites
      • posters
    • total respondents: 1,090
    • respondents using or intending to use childcare in Lincolnshire: 1,049

The parental survey engagement report will be available on our website once published. Engagement report - parents view of childcare in Lincolnshire

Analytical framework

The CSA integrates survey findings with demographic data, including population statistics, housing developments, and birth rates. This multi-source analysis enables a detailed assessment of childcare needs across:

  • districts
  • children’s centre reach areas
  • electoral wards

This year, we have further strengthened our approach by applying a redistribution factor within our sufficiency formulas. This factor accounts for the movement of families across the county when accessing childcare, ensuring that provision is not only increased but also strategically aligned with actual patterns of demand.

By recognising that families often travel beyond their immediate locality for work and childcare, this approach enables a more equitable and responsive allocation of resources, helping to ensure that childcare places are available where they are most needed.

Lincolnshire demographics

Lincolnshire, located in the East Midlands, is the second largest county in England by area and the eighth largest by population. The county is administratively divided into seven districts:

  • Boston
  • East Lindsey
  • Lincoln
  • North Kesteven
  • South Holland
  • South Kesteven
  • West Lindsey

Lincolnshire features a diverse geographical landscape, encompassing extensive rural and agricultural areas, urban centres, and historic market towns. Its eastern coastline is a significant asset, supporting a thriving tourism industry and contributing to the county’s economic and cultural identity.

Population

According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the estimated population of Lincolnshire in 2024 was 789,502, this reflects a growth of 21,138 people (2.75%) since the 2021 Census.

Children aged 0 to 4 years accounted for 4.5% of the 2023 population, which is 0.8% below the national figures for this age group.

To inform our childcare sufficiency assessment, we utilise population data sourced from NHS SystmOne, which captures information on children registered with general practitioners across Lincolnshire. While minor discrepancies may arise due to variations in GP registration, this dataset is widely regarded as a robust and reliable indicator of the resident child population.

This approach aligns with methodologies used in school place planning and provides a consistent basis for assessing current and future demand for early years and wraparound childcare provision.

According to the latest data from SystmOne, there are approximately 28,300 children below school age across the county who may require access to early years childcare. This figure plays a critical role in shaping our strategic planning and ensuring that provision is responsive to local needs.

Lincolnshire birth rate (data taken from SystmOne)

  • 2011 - 7,938
  • 2017 - 7,485
  • 2018 - 7,017
  • 2019 - 6,767
  • 2020 - 6,600
  • 2021 - 6,559
  • 2022 - 6,397
  • 2023 - 6,289

Despite the growth of the overall population in Lincolnshire, the East Midlands region and Lincolnshire continues to experience a decline in birth rates. In contrast, the national birth rate has shown an increase for the first time since 2021.

Population demographics

Data from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) shows that Lincolnshire has 73.7% of the population economically active, this means they are in employment. These rates do vary across districts.

District Percentage of population that are economically active
Boston 68.8%
East Lindsey 68.3%
Lincoln 78.4%
North Kesteven 81.0%
South Holland 78.4%
South Kesteven 71.2%
West Lindsey 71.0%

This data is a key consideration when assessing the sufficiency of childcare provision. Findings from the 2025 parental survey indicate that the majority of parents access childcare primarily to enable them to work. As such, it is reasonable to infer that demand for childcare is likely to be higher in areas with greater levels of economic activity, where more parents are in employment.

Housing

The National Planning Policy Framework requires local planning authorities to identify a rolling five-year supply of deliverable housing across the period.  

Lincolnshire has set out ambitious plans for housing developments across the county by 2031. While planned housing growth is a useful indicator, it does not directly translate into increased demand for childcare. Factors such as average household size, population demographics, and the nature of new housing developments will all influence potential demand.

The impact of housing growth on childcare sufficiency must therefore be considered in the context of local population characteristics. This includes the mix of age groups and family composition, as well as Lincolnshire’s birth rates. These variables collectively shape the scale and type of childcare provision that may be required in the future.

Location Developments Houses Already built
Boston 43 2,676 594
East Lindsey 95 7,596 1,988
Lincoln 22 4,022 105
North Kesteven 53 6,597 1,032
South Holland 47 3,431 719
South Kesteven 34 5,356 1,236
West Lindsey 90 12,548 1,631
Total 384 42,226 7,305

The increasing uptake of funded childcare entitlements is driving a growing demand for early years provision, particularly in areas experiencing new housing developments. Developer contributions secured through Section 106 agreements play a vital role in supporting the creation of additional early years places for children aged 0 to 4 years.

We have been working in close collaboration with the school strategic development team to ensure that early years provision is fully considered when allocating Section 106 funding. Looking ahead, this integrated approach will help ensure that early years infrastructure keeps pace with population growth, supporting the development of sustainable and well-served communities.

The securing developer contributions for education August 2023 publication identifies local authorities responsibilities for providing sufficient school places under the Education Act 1996 and now also includes early years and childcare. It is also a source of information for local planning authorities and other stakeholders involved in the delivery of schools.

Early years has been included within Lincolnshire’s planning obligations protocol and this will be published in due course. This aims to make clear to all stakeholders, our requirements towards infrastructure and services that will be expected alongside new developments.  It provides clarity, particularly for landowners and developers, but also others, including the district councils and town and parish councils across our county.

Supply of childcare in Lincolnshire

The childcare market in Lincolnshire

Lincolnshire has a broad range of early years and childcare services that offer parents a choice of provision. At the time of the survey (February 2025) there were 621 early years providers across Lincolnshire, including schools that provide early years childcare.

Full time places available:

  • under 2s: 2,535
  • 2-year-olds: 4,357
  • 3 and 4-year-olds: 9,025

A full-time place is one that is available five days a week for at least 30 hours. These places can be taken by one child or used by multiple children on a part-time basis.

Available childcare in Lincolnshire by sector

  • 282 childminders
  • 168 private providers
  • 68 voluntary providers
  • 5 maintained nursery schools
  • 12 independent schools
  • 43 maintained schools
  • 43 academy schools

Childminders represent the largest group of providers. However, due to the number of children they can care for within the EYFS statutory framework, they only deliver a small proportion of places compared to the rest of the private, voluntary and independent sector.

Provider type Under 2s 2-year-olds 3 and 4-year-olds
Childminders 13% 8% 3%
Private, voluntary and independent 86% 81% 71%
Schools 1% 11% 26%

The largest proportion of childcare places are delivered by the private sector, which includes childminders. Our ability to foresee changes and manage the private market can be more challenging.  It is therefore essential that we maintain a strong relationship with the sector, ensuring consistent communication and localised intelligence to gather updates on the availability and sustainability of the provision being delivered.

Over the past decade, Lincolnshire has seen a significant change in the delivery of early years education and childcare. There has been a clear shift away from traditional sessional models, typically operating from 9am to 3pm during term time, towards more flexible, full-day and all-year-round provision that better supports the needs of working families.

This evolution has been further accelerated by the introduction of the 30 hours funded childcare entitlement for working parents, which has required many early years settings to extend their operating hours and adapt their delivery models.

As a result:

  • A growing number of sessional pre-schools have expanded their hours, offering all day care and more flexible attendance patterns.
  • There are now very few settings operating solely under the traditional 9am–3pm model.
  • Providers are increasingly aligning their services with the working patterns of parents, contributing to improved access to childcare and supporting parental employment.

This shift reflects a broader commitment across the county to ensure that early years provision is both responsive and sustainable, meeting the changing needs of families and supporting Lincolnshire’s wider economic and social goals.

SEND provision and accessibility

Schools, early years and childcare settings, and other organisations providing services for children are legally required to make reasonable adjustments and deliver high-quality, inclusive provision to ensure that all children have equal access to play and learning opportunities.

This duty is underpinned by a robust legislative framework, including:

  • The Equality Act 2010
  • The Children and Families Act 2014
  • The SEND Code of Practice (2015)
  • The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Framework, which governs early education for children aged 0 to 5

Together, these frameworks ensure that children receive the support they need, when they need it, and that every child can reach their full potential. Under these provisions, all children and families must have access to an inclusive childcare place.

It is our view that the implementation of these frameworks ensures that all early years provision funded in Lincolnshire is inclusive and aligned with statutory expectations. These frameworks provide a consistent foundation for delivering high-quality, accessible early education, ensuring that every child, regardless of background or need, can thrive.

To strengthen this further, over the past two years, we have worked closely with the early years sector and all family-facing professionals, including local authority staff, to strengthen inclusive practice. Through a free online inclusion training programme led by Dingley’s Promise, professionals have had the opportunity to upskill their knowledge and confidence in supporting children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

This initiative has:

  • broken down barriers to accessing early years settings and services
  • enabled children with SEND to achieve their full potential
  • ensured access to highly skilled educators equipped to deliver inclusive, responsive care

This work reflects our ongoing commitment to ensuring that inclusive practice is embedded across all early years provision, and that Lincolnshire remains a place where every child can thrive.

Analysis has been completed to understand the number of children accessing their entitlements with SEND. The chart below provides an overview based on total children in each age range and those with SEND or an EHCP.

Inclusive places being offered and current take-up:

Type of education Under 2s 2-year-olds 3 and 4-year-olds
No special education 3,177 4,240 9,909
SEN 8 87 438
EHCP 5 14 79
Percentage with SEN or EHCP 0.4% 2.32% 4.96%

To support those children with SEND or an EHCP, the local authority provides additional funding through:

  • DAF
  • early years inclusion funding
  • high needs funding

This enables children to access the same provision as their peers and supports providers costs associated with their needs.

Expansion of the funded entitlement and growth in childcare places

The ongoing childcare reforms are benefiting working families significantly, reducing costs to parents and making childcare more accessible. Starting April 2024, funded entitlement expanded to include 15 hours for 2-year-olds of working parents. By September 2024, the entitlement expanded to include all children of working parents from 9 months to school age.

From September 2025, eligible parents can access 30 hours of funded childcare weekly for children from the term after they turn 9 months until school age, potentially saving up to £7,500 annually for one child.

The expanded entitlement complements additional assistance for parents through tax-free childcare. The reforms and expansion of the funded childcare entitlement has led to a significant increase in the availability of childcare places across Lincolnshire to meet the rising demand for places for children aged two years and under.

Targeted investment in childcare infrastructure

This growth has been made possible through a dedicated grant programme funded by the Department for Education (DfE) and administered by us. Lincolnshire were allocated £1.46 million capital grant funding to support in securing sufficient places to meet new demands. An open and transparent funding application process was launched in April 2024. Since then, a total of 21 capital and revenue grants, amounting to £0.708 million, has been awarded to local childcare providers. These grants have supported the development and expansion of high-quality childcare provision across the county, enabling providers to create new places and enhance existing facilities to better meet the needs of children and families.

District Under 2s 2-year-olds 3 and 4-year-olds
Boston 37 38 43
East Lindsey 19 28 49
Lincoln 24 22 24
North Kesteven 35 33 44
South Kesteven 41 28 20
South Holland 12 2 6
West Lindsey 0 0 8
Total 168 151 194

School based nursery grant programme

Phase one of the school based nursery capital grant programme was launched in October 2024. This was the first stage in a long-term commitment by the government to expand school-based nurseries across England.  

The funding was for eligible state-funded primary-phase schools to bid for up to £150,000 of capital funding. The funding could only be used for capital expenditure to repurpose spare space within the school building that would create or expand nursery provision.

As part of Lincolnshire’s commitment to expand early years provision, 15 applications were submitted to the Department for Education (DfE). Of these, seven were successful, resulting in the creation of an additional 171 childcare places across the county and a total investment of £772,239 into Lincolnshire childcare.

All new places are expected to be operational during the 2025 to 2026 academic year, further strengthening access to early education for families in Lincolnshire.

School name Additional under 2s full time places Additional 2-year-olds full time places Additional 3 and 4-year-olds full-time places
Friskney All Saints Church of England Primary School 6 15 0
Malcolm Sargent Primary School (Acorn Childcare Centre) 12 6 0
The Donington Cowley Endowed Primary School 0 0 16
The Gainsborough Hillcrest Early Years Academy 15 5 13
The Lincoln Manor Leas Infants School 0 0 28
William Alvey School 0 0 26
Wygate Park Academy 0 0 29
Total 33 26 112

The Department for Education (DfE) has officially launched phase 2 and announced phase 3 of its school-based nursery programme, reinforcing its commitment to expanding early years provision across England.

We have received strong interest from schools across Lincolnshire in expanding nursery provision, reflecting a clear appetite within the sector to support early years developments and meet growing local demand. Based on this engagement and the county’s proactive approach to early years planning, we are confident that Lincolnshire will be well-positioned to secure further funding in phase 2 and 3.

Childcare expansion grant

The DfE announced the early years expansion grant, which will provide an additional £75 million of funding to support the sector as it prepares to deliver the final phase of expansion of the working parent entitlement from September 2025.

Early years expansion grant 2025 to 2026: conditions of grant and operational guidance for local authorities.

Lincolnshire’s allocation was £927,727 and the local authority used the approach to distribute the total allocation between providers as a flat rate per-part time equivalent, according to the number of 2-year-olds and under 2s taking up the early education entitlements in settings.

Ongoing developments

We continue to work proactively with the early years and childcare sector to develop new places in areas where demand demonstrates a clear need. This targeted approach ensures that resources are directed where they will have the greatest impact on supporting families and enabling parental employment.

South Holland remains a priority due to an identified gap in provision. However, progress in this locality has been challenging, primarily due to competing demands for available infrastructure from other industries operating in the area. These pressures have limited the availability of suitable premises for childcare expansion.

Despite these challenges, there is continued interest from the sector to expand provision, including from providers based outside of Lincolnshire. Currently, three active projects are underway, reflecting a strong commitment to meeting local needs.

Looking ahead, the priority for any remaining funding will be to support the development of places for children aged two and under, particularly in areas where gaps in provision have been clearly identified.

We remain committed to working collaboratively with local partners, providers, and stakeholders to explore innovative solutions and unlock opportunities for sustainable childcare growth, not only in South Holland but across all areas of unmet need in the county.

Further knowledge of demand is anticipated following the implementation of the 30 hours from September 2025.

Workforce challenges and undelivered capacity in childcare provision

As part of our recent provider survey, we asked early years and childcare settings about undelivered capacity, places they are registered to offer but are currently unable to deliver. A total of 57 providers reported having childcare places they could not offer, citing a range of reasons. However, the most frequently reported barrier was the inability to recruit suitable staff.

This local insight reflects a wider national concern around recruitment and retention in the childcare sector. Many professionals are leaving the field in favour of better-paid roles with fewer responsibilities, which is contributing to staffing shortages and, in turn, limiting the availability of childcare places across Lincolnshire.

Reasons for undelivered capacity (amount of respondents)

  • unable to recruit staff - 27 (47%)
  • other - 17 (30%)
  • no parental demand - 9 (16%)
  • undeveloped space or rooms - 3 (5%)
  • issues with building - 1 (2%)

Unable to recruit new staff is a prevalent reason for undelivered capacity, therefore, supporting the recruitment and retention of the early years workforce is a key priority for Lincolnshire early years and childcare team. We are working in partnership with a range of external agencies, including schools, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), and career advisors; to promote childcare as a rewarding and sustainable career.

In 2024, the government launched the Do Something Big campaign to attract new entrants into the sector. We have actively supported this initiative by promoting it widely through our communication channels.

In addition:

  • we have strengthened relationships with local colleges to support the transition of students from training into employment
  • our ongoing collaboration with the DWP ensures that frontline staff working with job seekers are well-informed and continue to highlight childcare as a viable career option
  • a targeted campaign plan is in place to further enhance recruitment efforts, including a focus on increasing the number of registered childminders across the county
  • these efforts are part of a broader strategy to build a resilient, skilled, and motivated workforce capable of meeting the growing demand for high-quality early years provision

Demand for childcare in Lincolnshire

Parents perspectives

As part of the annual childcare sufficiency assessment (CSA), a county-wide survey of parents and carers was conducted in February 2025 to evaluate how effectively local childcare services are meeting the needs of families with children. The survey was widely promoted through a range of channels, including:

  • media outlets
  • partner organisations
  • social media platforms
  • Lincolnshire County Council staff
  • elected councillors

It received a strong and representative response from parents and carers, providing valuable insights to inform future planning and investment in childcare provision.

The 2025 childcare sufficiency assessment survey revealed that 82% of families feel their current childcare needs are being met. This is an 18-percentage point increase compared to the previous year. This significant improvement highlights the positive impact of recent investments and growth within Lincolnshire’s childcare sector, demonstrating that the childcare market is effectively responding to local demand and supporting families across the county.

Full details of feedback from the parental survey are included within the engagement report. This information, when combined with our internal data, provides valuable insight into where additional childcare places may be required and informs the strategic childcare development plan for the year ahead.

Take up of childcare entitlements

Lincolnshire currently reports a higher take-up of funded places for 2, 3 and 4-year-olds compared to both regional and national averages.

The demand for childcare is intricately linked to the take-up of available places. While all 3 and 4-year-olds and some 2-year-olds are entitled to at least 15 hours of funded early years education, not all families choose to access this entitlement. Additionally, working parents of children aged 9 months to school age are eligible for up to 30 hours of funded childcare per week. However, take-up of this offer also varies, as not all parents opt to use the full entitlement. These patterns highlight the importance of understanding parental preferences and barriers to access when planning future provision.

Access to high-quality early years education is widely recognised as a key factor in promoting academic success and ensuring children are well-prepared for school. The early years and childcare team in Lincolnshire actively monitors the take-up of funded childcare places. Where low take-up is identified, the service has invested in outreach workers to promote awareness of the funded entitlement across the county. These outreach efforts aim not only to increase participation but also to engage directly with families to understand the reasons behind non-engagement and to address any barriers, ensuring that all eligible children can benefit from early education.

2-year-old take-up

Children aged two may qualify for funded early education under two distinct eligibility categories:

  • families in receipt of additional support (FRAS), who are entitled to 15 hours per week of funded childcare. The DWP supply us with details of families who would be eligible. we then monitor the take up of places by the eligible families
  • working families, who are also currently entitled to 15 hours per week, with this entitlement set to expand to 30 hours per week from September 2025. We can see how many eligible codes have been issued by the DfE compared how many have been validated on take up of a place (details below)

FRAS take up:

  • national: 65.2%
  • regional: 60.3%
  • Lincolnshire: 65.6%

Since the childcare reforms and the introduction of the working parent entitlement, local authorities are now seeing an overlap in:

  • the families on the DWP list that are eligible for the ‘disadvantaged’ funding
  • those who have also accessed a code using the ‘working parent entitlement’

This accounts for the lower take up we are seeing both nationally and locally. By the end of the spring term (following data cleansing, identifying childcare eligible for both entitlements and new children attending) Lincolnshire had over 83% take-up for the ‘disadvantaged’ 2-year-old entitlement.

This strong uptake reflects the county’s proactive approach to promoting early years entitlements and supporting families to access high-quality childcare at the earliest opportunity.

The statistical first release (SFR) is based on data collected during the January census each year. However, it is important to note that take-up of the entitlement typically increases as the academic year progresses. By the end of the spring term, data consistently shows a significant rise in the number of 2, 3 and 4-year-olds accessing places. As such, we can report that take-up at other points in the year is often higher than what is reflected in the SFR.

In Lincolnshire, our outreach processes are being embedded and renewed to identify the children eligible for both entitlements. We are also working alongside colleagues within the performance team to ensure reports can clearly identify and validate those children accessing their entitlement, and cross matching this data with the online systems delivered by the DfE, HMRC and the DWP.

3 and 4-year-old take up

All 3 and 4-year-olds are entitled to 15 hours of funded childcare per week, with an additional 15 hours available to eligible working families. Universal entitlement take-up is monitored using population data, while the working entitlement is tracked through DfE issued codes and their validation upon placement.

Universal entitlement:

  • national: 93.1%
  • regional: 94.1%
  • Lincolnshire: 95.6%
Funding Under 2s 2-year-olds 3 and 4-year-olds
Total children accessing 3,201 4,343 10,410
Universal entitlement Not applicable Not applicable 10,385
FRAS funding Not applicable 1,102 Not applicable
Working entitlement 3,201 3,241 5,751

Monitoring emerging demand for the working entitlement

The working entitlement for families with children aged 9 months to 2 years is still in its initial stages. We are closely monitoring the take-up of places by working parents to ensure a clear understanding of emerging demand and the additional capacity required to meet it.

A code is issued to parents who qualify for the entitlement and apply online. These codes are validated when families take up their childcare offer. By reviewing this data, we can assess the take-up rate for the working entitlement across the county.

During the spring term 2025, we analysed the number of codes issued compared to those successfully validated. The below information illustrates a high proportion of parents who took up their place, demonstrating that eligible families have been able to access the childcare they need and are entitled to.

Validation rate:

  • under 2s: 95%
  • 2-year-olds: 97%
  • 3 and 4-year-olds: 96.5%

The strong validation rate also suggests that awareness and accessibility of the entitlement are improving. If current trends continue, we anticipate a sustained or even increased uptake in future terms, particularly as outreach efforts and digital application processes become more streamlined. Continued monitoring will be essential to ensure that all eligible families are supported in accessing the childcare provision they need.

While full data will not be available until the final phase of the entitlement expansion in September 2025, we have proactively used existing data on the take-up of the working entitlement for 3 and 4-year-olds. By mapping these percentages (see chart below) against ward-level data, we have been able to model and forecast anticipated demand from September 2025 onwards. This approach supports strategic planning and ensures that future provision is aligned with expected needs.

District Percentage of children accessing 3 and 4-year working entitlement
Boston 48%
East Lindsey 50%
Lincoln 45%
North Kesteven 65%
South Holland 48%
South Kesteven 59%
West Lindsey 53%
Lincolnshire average 52%

Mapping of demand

Since the announcement of the childcare reforms in spring 2023, the Department for Education (DfE) has provided local authorities with supply and demand modelling to support planning for early years expansion. This dataset includes estimates of the known supply of places in Lincolnshire, the potential demand for places for children aged two and under and like our own data, includes a redistribution factor. This factor accounts for the movement of families across the county when accessing childcare, ensuring that provision is not only increased but also strategically aligned with actual patterns of demand

We have used this information to cross-reference the DfE data with our internal datasets to validate what we know. While the datasets are broadly aligned, we have identified notable differences at ward level, which highlight the importance of maintaining locally informed intelligence to ensure accurate sufficiency assessments.

This comparison has strengthened our understanding of where gaps may exist and will inform future decisions around targeted investment and support for providers.

Armed forces covenant

We have signed up to the Armed Forces Covenant, which ensures fair treatment for serving personnel, veterans, and their families. This includes equal access to public services like childcare.

The early years and childcare team works with the MOD to make sure there are enough childcare places for armed forces families living and working in Lincolnshire. Funding is available through the MOD Armed Forces Families Fund: early years programme to support the sufficiency in locations where there is a high proportion of armed forces families are accessing childcare and we will work with providers in order to meet their unique needs. 

Lincolnshire sufficiency data

The data collected through our annual survey is analysed using a simple formula that compares the local population with the number of available childcare places in each age group. This generates an expected demand in districts, children’s centre reaches, and ward-level, indicating whether there is a sufficient supply, a surplus, or a deficit of places to meet local demand.

When a deficit is identified within the data, we assess whether it justifies the creation of additional childcare places by considering a range of contextual factors. These include the availability of places in neighbouring wards, the demographics of families within the affected area, local intelligence gathered from childcare providers and parents, and the accessibility of alternative options.

A recorded deficit does not automatically indicate a need for more childcare provision, just as a surplus does not necessarily confirm sufficiency. Rather, these figures serve as a starting point for further investigation and informed decision-making. The local authority data currently shows a small shortfall of places for the 2-year-olds and under 2s, whilst the 3 and 4-year-old places data shows a surplus. This is used to inform further investigative work and is used to consider future development of places.

The data used by the local authority reflects the net shortfall or surplus of childcare places within each district. However, it is important to recognise that each district may contain areas of both oversupply and undersupply. Therefore, a comprehensive assessment must consider all available information around demand to determine whether additional places are genuinely needed. This includes the datasets provided by the DfE which are used to validate local intelligence.  

There are some areas within the county where we need to work with the sector to increase the childcare places on offer. The grid below shows the districts within the county where our data indicates there may be a need for additional places.

Under 2s 2-year-olds 3 and 4-year-olds
Boston
East Lindsey
West Lindsey
South Holland		 Boston
East Lindsey
Lincoln
South Holland		 Boston
Lincoln
South Holland

The demand in each district varies and further in-depth data and analysis is supplied upon request to the early years and childcare support team: childcaresufficiency@lincolnshire.gov.uk.

Affordability

Costs for parents

The cost of childcare has seen a substantial decrease for parents of 2s and under over the past year, driven by the introduction of the expanded funded childcare offer. Under the new offer, working parents of children aged 9 months to school age now only pay for additional hours that fall outside their government-funded entitlement and any additional services they require such as meals.

According to the Coram Family and Childcare 2025 Childcare Survey, the average cost nationally of 25 hours of nursery care per week for children under the age of three has dropped by 55.7% compared to 2024. This figure reflects the impact of the expanded entitlements, with parents now typically paying for just 10 hours per week.

Average cost of 25 hours of childcare nationally:

Under 2s

2025 2024 Difference
£70.51 £159.61 -55.50%

2-year-olds

2025 2024 Difference
£66.34  £153.69 -56.3%

The cost is set decrease further in September 2025 when the expansion reaches its final phase of roll out and eligible parents will be able to access up to 30 hours of funded entitlement, easing the financial burden of nursery fees on parents.

While the expanded funded childcare offer has significantly reduced overall costs for many families, providers have adjusted their rates for additional hours outside the entitlement. This increase is attributed to rising operational costs, including: 

  • the national living wage
  • utility bills
  • broader inflationary pressures

Across all provider types and districts within the county, there has been an average increase of 8.11% in the hourly rate for additional hours of childcare.

Average private fees charged across each district area (as an average hourly rate):

District Under 2s 2-year-olds 3 and 4-year-olds
Boston £6.75 £6.37 £6.11
East Lindsey £6.04 £5.93 £5.67
Lincoln £5.54 £5.51 £5.44
North Kesteven £5.65 £5.74 £5.55
South Holland £5.75 £5.72 £5.51
South Kesteven £6.22 £6.03 £6.13
West Lindsey £5.75 £5.69 £5.52
Lincolnshire average £5.90 £5.83 £5.69

Most parents can access government support for paying childcare costs for children aged 0 to 14 years. Government offers are widely promoted to parents and providers in Lincolnshire using the best start for life parent hub. All providers are encouraged to promote this with their parents to ensure their fees remain affordable. Within the provider survey, 98% of providers reported that they promote tax-free childcare to their parents.

Childcare providers are encouraged to promote the tax-free childcare and other offers, which is also promoted with the role of the outreach worker. Lincolnshire offers support and guidance to working and disadvantaged parents and our website has recently been updated with a dedicated section on all the available support with childcare costs.

Early years funding

Lincolnshire saw another uplift to the funded rates in April 2025. Whilst the rising overhead costs for providers and increase in the NLW are a concern, the increase in funding over the past year has gone some way to supporting the sustainability of the sector. In the last 18 months we have also seen the introduction on the funded rate for under 2s which for 98% of the county's providers is well above their private rate.

Age range Average provider rate 2025 EYE funding rates Difference between funded and private rate
Under 2s £5.90 £10.18 +£4.28
2-year-olds £5.83 £7.41 +£1.58
3- and 4-year-olds £5.69 £5.21 -£0.48

In addition, to ensure continued access to childcare for families in receipt of additional support, Lincolnshire has introduced a £0.19 deprivation supplement for eligible 2-year-olds within the funding formula.

Providers can access a range of supplementary funding streams in addition to the base rate to support high-quality provision for children from the term after they turn 9 months until school age. These include:

  • early years pupil premium (EYPP)
  • deprivation supplement
  • inclusion funding
  • disability access funding (DAF)

Early years pupil premium (EYPP)

EYPP is paid to providers as an hourly supplement of £1 per hour to children who qualify. This supplement aims to improve outcomes for disadvantaged children from 9 months upwards (for 15 hours).

Additional funding to support disadvantaged children

Deprivation supplement is paid to providers to help them support their most disadvantaged cohort of children. The payment is calculated on the previous years autumn term head count and is paid the following financial year over three payments. The amount is worked on individual child's postcodes aligning them to the IDACI scoring.  This means providers will receive varying amounts according to the children attending.  

Additional funding for children with SEND

SEN inclusion funding (SENIF) is available for children with emerging special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). It is payable to providers at two rates for children that qualify. This is paid for all eligible children in receipt of funded entitlement and is in addition to the normal funded rates for their age.

  • inclusion level one - £2.10 per hour
  • inclusion level two - £4.20 per hour

Disability access funding (DAF) is also payable to settings for children in receipt of disability living allowance (DLA). This is paid to the provider for all eligible children in receipt of funded entitlement and used to support children’s access to the entitlements. This is currently £938 per year.

Autumn 2024 Spring 2025 Summer 2025 Total 
86 55 106 247

The local authority has seen an increase in provider applications to support children with SEND. We have responded by increasing the amount of funding available to providers through the dedicated schools grant specifically for SENIF. Of those SENIF children accessing provision, attendance shows that the majority are accessing their universal and extended hours.

Supporting business sustainability in early years and childcare

Business sustainability is essential to ensuring the long-term viability of early years and childcare provision. With significant changes to the childcare landscape in recent years, including evolving parental expectations, funding reforms, and shifts in working patterns, it is increasingly important that the market adapts to current trends and remains responsive to local needs.

Our early years and childcare team play a key role in supporting providers to strengthen their business models. A range of support is available to help providers review and develop their business plans, ensuring they are equipped to navigate change and plan for future growth.

Providers across Lincolnshire can access:

  • collective support, including:
    • workshops
    • webinars
    • newsletters
    • guidance materials
  • bespoke support, tailored to individual settings and their unique challenges
  • strategic advice on adapting to new parental demand, including:
    • extended hours
    • flexible models
    • inclusive provision

This support encourages providers to take a proactive approach to financial planning, service delivery, and workforce development, helping them to remain resilient and responsive in a changing environment.

By investing in business sustainability, Lincolnshire aims to ensure that high-quality, accessible childcare continues to be available for all families, now and in the future.

Quality of childcare in Lincolnshire

The most recent Ofsted data, shows that Lincolnshire has 97% of settings graded good or outstanding. This means that the majority of children in Lincolnshire have access to high quality settings. The table below shows the comparison between Lincolnshire’s Ofsted ratings and the regional and national figures.

Region Outstanding
percentage		 Good
percentage		 Requires improvement
percentage		 Inadequate
percentage
National 14% 84% 2% 1%
East Midlands 7% 91% 2% 1%
Lincolnshire 5% 92% 2% 1%

Giving every child the best start in life sets out the approach for expanding and strengthening family services, making early education and childcare more accessible and affordable, and improving the quality of early education and childcare. 

In Lincolnshire, we aim to achieve our ambitions to improve educational outcomes for our youngest children. Our own strategy is being updated to outline our commitment to ensuring the availability of high-quality childcare provision, enabling all children to access their entitlement.

Supporting the development of quality provision remains one of our primary focuses. This is now under development, utilising the findings in the government’s strategy and will be linked to the family help strategy for Lincolnshire.

The early years and childcare support team provides a range of support services across the sector. The support available includes:

  • direct face-to-face support
  • the delivery and commissioning of subsidised training
  • information advice and guidance
  • special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) support to early years providers across the sector including:
    • private
    • voluntary
    • independent providers
    • childminders
    • schools
    • academies

The childcare sufficiency duty is embedded within the early years and childcare support team. To ensure Lincolnshire succeeds in the government’s ambitious target that by 2028, a record proportion - 75% - of children reach a good level of development by the end of reception, it is vital for quality and sufficiency to work cohesively together.

Conclusion and actions

The 2025 childcare sufficiency assessment demonstrates that Lincolnshire has made significant progress in expanding and improving early years and wraparound childcare provision. The county has responded proactively to national childcare reforms by:

  • increasing the availability of funded places
  • enhancing accessibility for working families
  • maintaining high standards of quality and inclusion

Key achievements include:

  • a strong validation rate for working parent entitlement codes, indicating high take-up and awareness
  • a net increase in childcare places across all age groups, supported by targeted capital investment
  • high satisfaction levels among parents, with 82% reporting access to the childcare they need
  • continued commitment to inclusive provision, with positive feedback from families of children with SEND
  • a robust partnership approach between the local authority, providers, and stakeholders to address workforce challenges and ensure sustainability

Looking ahead, Lincolnshire is well-positioned to meet the final phase of entitlements expansion in September 2025. However, continued monitoring, targeted investment, and strategic planning will be essential to address emerging demand, particularly for two year olds and under 2s and in areas with identified shortfalls.

Areas for action

To build on the progress made and ensure continued sufficiency and quality, the following actions are recommended:

Targeted expansion

  • prioritise development of places for under 2s in districts with identified shortfalls, particularly:
    • South Holland
    • Boston
    • West Lindsey
  • continue to support providers through capital and revenue grants to expand provision in areas and age groups of unmet need

Workforce development

  • strengthen recruitment campaigns in partnership with:
    • local colleges
    • DWP
    • national initiatives
  • expand training and retention support to address undelivered capacity due to staffing shortages

Inclusive practice

  • continue to embed inclusive practices through training and funding support
  • monitor access and satisfaction among families with SEND to ensure equitable provision

Affordability and awareness

  • promote awareness of funded entitlements and financial support through outreach and digital campaigns
  • support providers in maintaining sustainable pricing and delivery models aligned with funding rates

Data and forecasting

  • maintain robust data collection and analysis to monitor:
    • take-up
    • sufficiency
    • emerging trends
  • use ward-level modelling and DfE datasets to inform strategic planning and resource allocation

Wraparound programme

  • expand wraparound childcare in line with national targets, ensuring universal access by 2026
  • work with schools and providers to identify and address gaps in before- and after-school care

The early years and childcare support team has developed and published a roadmap of support. This ensures sector are aware of the advice and guidance available to them in Lincolnshire. It encourages new provision into Lincolnshire to support the sufficiency duty and enables clear partnership working with professionals in all areas of Lincolnshire.

Your journey to quality sustainable childcare in Lincolnshire

Developing and growing your childcare business

  • Ofsted registration
  • sustainability of premises
  • preparing for your registration visit
  • business management
  • recruitment
  • governance advice
  • finding the right location to open

childcaresufficiency@lincolnshire.gov.uk
WAC@lincolnshire.gov.uk
HAF@lincolnshire.gov.uk

Childcare in Lincolnshire

  • early years group provisions
  • childminders
  • breakfast and after school care 4 to 11 years
  • holiday clubs 4 to 11 years - including holiday activities and food programme (HAF) provision 

Workforce development

The team is here to assist you with all your training needs, both before and after registration. All childcare providers can access the training directory to ensure they fulfill all training requirements.

eyworkforcedevelopment@lincolnshire.gov.uk

Ofsted registration visit

If you have registered with Ofsted, you will have a registration visit. This can take up to:

  • 12 weeks for childminders
  • 26 weeks for everyone else

Support delivering the early years entitlements (EYE)

  • registering as an EYE provider in Lincolnshire
  • managing your monthly claims
  • checking and validating eligibility codes for working parents
  • accessing additional supplements for vulnerable children (subject to eligibility)
  • complying with legislation, statutory guidance, and the local EYE Funding Agreement
  • raising awareness of entitlements available in your area

EYE@lincolnshire.gov.uk

Post registration support (PRS)

  • termly calls and visits until first inspection
  • signposting to training and network meetings
  • support with LSCP six-year pathway
  • safeguarding and welfare audit
  • learning and development audit
  • information on current trends in Lincolnshire

EYCC@lincolnshire.gov.uk

Special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and inclusion

  • support and guidance from early years specialist teachers
  • support from early help workers
  • resources for guidance
  • SEND and inclusion training

EYCC@lincolnshire.gov.uk

Ongoing support with quality provision

  • an early years and childcare Facebook page with resources
  • newsletters and weekly bulletins
  • specialist-led support sessions and surgeries
  • access to local briefings and networking events
  • tailored support via a self-referral process
  • audit and quality assurance tools and visits for assessing compliance with statutory requirements
  • school food standards support

EYCC@lincolnshire.gov.uk
WAC@lincolnshire.gov.uk
HAF@lincolnshire.gov.uk

Ofsted inspection

  • support with the learning walks
  • information on current inspection trends
  • support if you receive less than 'good' outcome

EYCC@lincolnshire.gov.uk

Business sustainability

  • cashflow forecasting
  • knowing your breakeven point
  • business health tools
  • marketing advice
  • recruitment advice
  • childcare sufficiency assessments
  • finding the right location to open
  • grant funding

childcaresufficiency@lincolnshire.gov.uk

Targeted support

For less than good inspection outcomes:

  • getting to good programme
  • targeted improvement programme

EYCC@lincolnshire.gov.uk

Annex A: out-of-school childcare

Wraparound childcare programme: expanding access for working families

The national wraparound childcare programme was introduced as part of the UK government’s childcare reforms in the 2023 spring budget. It is designed to ensure that by 2026, all parents and carers of primary school-aged children in England can access wraparound childcare from 8am to 6pm, during term time.

Over the course of the national wraparound programme Lincolnshire will receive a maximum of £5,483,275.79 to deliver the expectations set out in national wraparound childcare programme handbook - a guide for local authorities.

Key achievements and objectives:

  • Expansion of places: the programme is actively increasing the number of before and after-school childcare places across Lincolnshire. This expansion is being delivered through a combination of school-led provision and partnerships with private, voluntary, and independent providers, including childminders.
  • Support for working parents: by extending childcare availability beyond standard school hours, the programme supports Lincolnshire parents in working full-time or more flexible hours, helping to reduce barriers to employment.
  • Local authority co-ordination: we are playing a central role in identifying gaps in provision and working with schools and providers to establish or expand wraparound services in areas of need.
  • No eligibility restrictions: the new wraparound places are universally accessible, with no eligibility criteria, ensuring that all families can benefit regardless of income or employment status.
  • Financial support for families: Lincolnshire parents can use tax-free childcare or universal credit childcare to help cover the cost of wraparound care, making it more affordable and sustainable.
  • Guidance and resources for schools: The Department for Education has issued detailed guidance to help schools and trusts respond to parental demand and implement or expand wraparound provision effectively.

Lincolnshire’s progress so far

Lincolnshire has made great progress in meeting the national target and improving the access to wraparound care for school aged children. In total 84 different providers have been supported to either create a new club, expand their existing places or expand their existing hours. This has created a total of 2,437 additional places for children to access.

District Providers supported Places created
Boston 2 90
East Lindsey 27 521
West Lindsey  20 435
Lincoln 12 271
North Kesteven 19 356
South Kesteven 22 541
South Holland 10 223
Total 112 2,437

The programme and the funding continue until March 2026. Gaps in provision have been identified, and the team will continue to work with schools and private providers to meet the national targets and support families to access the childcare they need.   

As we move forward with the programme, we will look to offer a package of training and specific out of school memberships to ensure providers and staff have the support and skillset for long term sustainability. Through the training offer there will be a focus on SEND support to ensure the workforce are equipped to facilitate inclusive environments for all.

We have also incentivised schools to identify and name out of school leads to ensure clear accountability and consistency. The food education team is working in partnership with funded out of school providers. They offer tailored guidance and support to help them meet the school food standards and embed best practice across provision.

A quality assurance process is now in place to support high standards and long-term sustainability across all activity. Future updates to online platforms and the website will enhance access to information for both families and providers, with clear signposting to opportunities and resources. Collaboration between schools and the wider out of school sector will remain a central focus as the programme develops.

Holiday provision and the HAF programme

Since 2018, the government has funded the holiday activities and food (HAF) programme. This supports children and young people in receipt of benefits-related free school meals (FSM) through holiday periods. 

In Lincolnshire, the budget for this programme in 2025 to 2026 is £2.8 million. HAF has played a vital role in supporting children and young people, ensuring they have access to:

  • enriching activities
  • nutritious meals
  • a safe, supportive environment during school holidays

The HAF programme supports children eligible for free school meals, with 15% of the budget allocated for discretionary places for those with additional needs or receiving targeted support. The programme is designed to offer a high-quality experience, ensuring that all children and young people attending:

  • receive nutritious meals
  • engage in physical activity
  • enjoy a safe, enriching environment

Through the delivery of the HAF programme, children gain valuable knowledge about food, nutrition, and healthy lifestyles, all while participating in fun and stimulating activities.

In Lincolnshire, there are currently 70 approved providers delivering 312 clubs across 144 different locations in Lincolnshire. Over the year this programme delivers 67,000 places for those eligible children to access provision in the holiday periods across Easter, summer and Christmas.

There is good coverage of HAF provision across Lincolnshire, with a diverse range of providers offering enriching activities. Parents and carers describe HAF as a vital source of support, especially during challenging times. They praise its inclusive approach and the significant improvements they’ve seen in their children’s:

  • confidence
  • communication
  • overall wellbeing

Integrating the HAF programme within the wider childcare sustainability and development team has enabled the team to assess the sufficiency of provision being offered in the holiday through this programme, alongside the wider availability of childcare in Lincolnshire for all children, including those families paying for childcare whilst they work. In the CSA survey in 2026, holiday care will be a focus for the team, to assess the full availability of provision, demand and capacity.

SEND and secondary-specific provision continues to be a key area for development in Lincolnshire for all childcare places, including those in the wraparound and HAF Programmes.  

During the summer 2025, additional HAF approved providers have been commissioned for secondary specific clubs resulting in a further 1,344 places and nine SEND specific clubs resulting in a further 1,050 places.

The Department for Education is currently reviewing the spend plan and announcements are expected in the autumn term 2025 to confirm their plans for future funding for such programmes.

The HAF team continue to:

  • make strong links with local business providers in Lincolnshire to support holiday activities
  • provide additional investment to allow children and young people to access provision to support them to thrive

Lincolnshire participated in the Coram holiday childcare survey 2025. This report is based on surveys of local authorities in England, Scotland and Wales, who responded to Coram Family and Childcare between April and June 2025. Further analysis of these findings and a full summary of holiday provision in Lincolnshire will be considered in further detail and supplied in the 2026 CSA annual report.