Parents have been warned that they may miss out on government funded places with their first-choice childcare provider in April, when the 15 hours free childcare scheme is extended.
Despite the government pledging additional funding to nurseries offering free childcare places, and providing more flexibility on minimum staff-to-child-ratios, childcare providers are still facing issues when it comes to recruiting and retaining staff, as well as being chronically underfunded. This means that some childcare providers are unable to offer free places, despite the government's promises.
