Survey reveals that most English councils cannot meet demand for SEND childcare, while costs drop for some families but remain high for others.
New research from Coram – a leading children’s charity – shows less than half of local authorities in England report having enough places for most early years children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
What’s more, for wraparound care for school-aged children with SEND, the proportion falls to just 23%.
The shortage is most acute in inner London, where only 9% of councils said they had sufficient early years places for children with SEND.
Alongside highlighting shortages, the research – published today (18th March) – looks at the impact of the 30-hour funded childcare entitlement, which was fully rolled out in September 2025 for eligible families with children from nine months to four years old.
A part time (25-hour) place is now theoretically free during term time, while the cost of a full-time (50-hour) place has fallen by 39% compared with 2025.
In contrast, families who are not eligible face average weekly costs of £189 for a part-time nursery place for a child under two.
Outside England, childcare costs continue to rise, with part-time nursery fees averaging £133.03 per week in Scotland, up 5% on 2025, and £166.33 in Wales, an increase of 8%.
Lydia Hodges, head of Coram Family and Childcare, said: ‘Whilst there are complexities and caveats around the entitlement, it is undoubtedly a welcome support for working families.
‘However, our analysis also highlights the divide between those eligible and those who are not.’
‘The cost of childcare will likely be out of reach for disadvantaged children, and there are still serious gaps for children with SEND,’ Hodges continued. ‘All children deserve the opportunity to grow and develop in a nurturing environment, and disadvantaged children should not have to wait or receive half measures.’
Cllr Amanda Hopgood, chair of the Local Government Association’s children, young people and families committee, called for an entitlement review to ensure those on lower incomes ‘do not miss out’.
She added: ‘The entitlements should also be extended to parents and carers who are studying and/or in training, and foster carers and kinship carers, regardless of work and training status.
‘It is vital the government addresses these concerns as part of its review of early education and childcare entitlements funding.’
In similar vein, Tim McLaclan, chief executive of NDNA, remarked: ‘Costs have plummeted across England following government investment, but children from low-income families and those with additional needs remain underserved.’
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