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Competition regulator asks smaller childcare settings for information

Providers contacted by the Competition and Markets Authority are legally required to provide the information requested, as its study of the early years market moves towards a consultation expected from December.

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Hubba TrainingOfficial sources

Published 9 October 20262 min read

At a glance

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has sent a request for information to a number of smaller childcare providers.
The request is made under statutory powers, which the CMA said means providing the information is a legal requirement.
The CMA plans to consult on its emerging thinking from December 2026 to April 2027.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has sent a request for information to a number of smaller childcare providers as part of its childcare market study.

The CMA said it contacted a range of providers, such as nurseries and schools, in different areas of England so that it hears from providers of all types and sizes.

If your setting has been contacted

The CMA said that if a provider has received an email or call from it, this is a legitimate request for information. It said it recognises that providers may wish to check the request is genuine.

The request is being made under statutory powers. The CMA said this means there is a legal requirement to provide the information requested.

Providers with questions about this request can email the CMA at childcarems@cma.gov.uk.

The CMA said the responses will help it assess whether the childcare sector is working well and, if not, how it could be improved.

About the market study

The CMA launched its market study into early years education and childcare in England on 1 July 2026.

It is looking at how the sector works, how well it performs for families, childcare professionals and providers, and how it could work better.

Its call for views and its consultation on the scope of the study both closed on 26 July 2026. The CMA published an update on its evidence gathering in September.

The CMA expects to publish its emerging findings at the end of 2026. It then plans to consult on its emerging thinking, and any possible options for improving outcomes, from December 2026 to April 2027.

A final report is expected in May 2027. The CMA said these dates are a guide and may be updated.

For your setting

What this means for your setting

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If the CMA has contacted your setting about this study, it says the request is legitimate and there is a legal requirement to provide the information requested.
You may want to note any deadline given in the request and start gathering the information early.
If you are unsure whether a request is genuine, or have questions about it, you can email the CMA at childcarems@cma.gov.uk.
Even if you have not been contacted, you can sign up to the CMA's mailing list to hear about the consultation expected from December.

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Does this apply in Scotland? The CMA's market study covers England only, though it says it will share lessons with the devolved governments.

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Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Licence.

At a glance

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has sent a request for information to a number of smaller childcare providers.
The request is made under statutory powers, which the CMA said means providing the information is a legal requirement.
The CMA plans to consult on its emerging thinking from December 2026 to April 2027.