Parents could miss out

PARENTS in England could miss out on funded hours at their preferred childcare setting in the spring if there is limited capacity, a minister has admitted.

David Johnston, minister for children, families and wellbeing, said the Government cannot 'compel' nurseries and childminders to offer children 'free' hours in April when the first phase of its childcare expansion begins.

However, he said the Government is 'strongly encouraging' settings to provide the new funded places as he argued that childcare providers have been given 'considerable increases' in funding rates to be able to offer it.

Nurseries, pre-schools and childminders in England are being inundated with calls and emails from families who want to take up funded places.