Wirral Borough Council is failing in its duty to monitor childcare provision in the borough.

A report[1] produced by the Family and Childcare Trust reveals that Wirral has not produced a review of childcare places since 2011. Local authorities are supposed to produce an annual report matching the supply of childcare places against demand and an action plan explaining how any gaps might be filled.

The profile for Birkenhead is alarming. It reveals that 33 per cent of children in the town were deemed to be living in poverty in 2013, while nursery costs are 5-15 per cent above the average price in the North West.

The Liberal Democrats introduced the pupil premium to redress the balance for children from disadvantaged backgrounds, but even that assistance cannot hope to compensate for the impact of a childood spent in poverty.

The Coalition government also introduced free early education for two year olds in the greatest need. 1,846 children in Birkenhead qualify, but it is troubling that 30 per cent had not taken up this opportunity according to figures from last November.

It is a new initiative and needs to be more widely publicised so families that could benefit from this help do not miss out.

[1] See: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B9lSk6CWJb9YVk9Bc1hYVHR5eEk/view