Local authorities across England have had to set about securing these places at a blistering pace via a range of settings. Inevitably, more deprived areas have a greater share of eligible toddlers than other more affluent parts of the country. CYP Now's investigation - based on responses to Freedom of Information requests from 131 out of 152 councils - sees more than half (70) report a shortfall in their required places, resulting in a projected national shortage of just over 41,000 places as the expansion takes effect.
Essex and Lancashire report the greatest shortfall in places, while the deficiencies reported by Sandwell, Tower Hamlets and Peterborough are in fact greater than the number of places they have created.
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