Childcare Sufficiency Assessment
Lambeth's first Childcare Sufficiency Assessment (CSA) was produced in October 2007 to look at the supply and demand for childcare in the borough.
By comparing supply and demand and matching the childcare that's available to the needs of parents, we can identify gaps in childcare provision and formulate strategies to close those gaps.
We are continually assessing childcare services in the borough and will publish updates regularly with a new full assessment due to be published in March 2011.
You can download the following:
The assessment looks at gaps in provision, for example:
- geographical gaps - areas in Lambeth with less childcare than other areas
- income gaps - the cost of childcare compared to the income of parents and carers
- specific needs gaps - the availability of childcare for disabled children or children with special needs
- time gaps - the times childcare is needed compared to the opening times of providers
- age gaps - the number of places for children of different age groups compared to the number of places available
- type gaps - the type of childcare available compared to the needs of parents and carers.
Every local authority must, by law, produce a CSA. The format of the Childcare Sufficiency Assessment is governed by statutory guidance which sets out the specific areas of research.
Action plan
Each local authority has to prepare an action plan setting out how it plans to address the issues identified in the CSA. Find out what improvements and developments we've made based on the Childcare Sufficiency Assessment.
Have your say
The Childcare Sufficiency Assessment will be updated in April 2011 but the process to do this will start in December 2009.
If you have any comments or would like to be notified of any up and coming consultation events, please contact us:
London Borough of Lambeth
Childcare Sufficiency Assessment Team
Community Children's Services
International House
Canterbury Crescent
London SW9 7QE.
Alternatively call the Families Information Service on 0845 601 5317.