Local authorities said that childcare providers are facing significant challenges due to increased costs, in a survey of local authorities across the country conducted by Coram Family and Childcare.
Nearly three-quarters of local authorities said that some or many of their providers had increased prices for parents over the past year, and nearly half said that some or many providers had reduced their opening hours to cope with high costs.
Some 43 per cent also reported that some or many providers had reduced the number of funded early years entitlement places they provide.
Coram Family and Childcare said it was concerned about the reduction in early years entitlement places, given the role the policy plays in narrowing the attainment gap between disadvantaged children and their peers.
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