Desperate need for childcare places in Spalding

Nearly 100 pre-school places need to be created in the Spalding area to help meet a ‘massive shortage’.

Nurseries and childminders across the area say they are full and are regularly having to turn away tearful parents who fear for their jobs as they can’t find childcare - and the problem has got worse since the closure of Little Treasures in Pinchbeck.

Lincolnshire County Council say there are currently 742 childcare places, from babies to five-years, in Spalding but estimate that 95 additional places are needed based on population and housing developments.

One of the owners of BeBright Pre-School, Louise Spillett, said: “We have three phone calls a day from parents. With so much house building we have people who are new to area after relocating from Peterborough or further afield like London and they arrive and there is no childcare.

“There is already a shortage of places and I think it is going to increase dramatically. At least two settings will be needed to open to fill 95 spaces.”

Nicky Myers, the county’s interim Head of Service Early Years and Childcare Support, said: “The council is working with a variety of early years and childcare providers to make additional places available to families in this area.

In addition to looking at the capacity of existing provision, the local authority is currently exploring a development opportunity for new childcare places to be delivered. Further information about this will be announced when available.”

- Have you struggled to find carecare in Spalding? Let us know the problems you have encountered by emailing victoria.fear@iliffepublishing.co.uk