Their call follows confirmation from the government earlier this week that the consultation - first announced in July 2015 - is set to open in early 2017.
Over the past 18 months, the rate of children's centres closures and service reductions has increased as a result of deep local authority budget cuts.
In December 2016, government figures showed nearly twice as many children's centres closed in 2015 compared with 2014 - 156 up from 85.
Pre-school Learning Alliance chief executive Neil Leitch said the current situation was neither acceptable nor sustainable.
"It is vital the government moves forward on this issue as a matter of priority," he said.
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