UK faces childcare crisis as staff shortages force nurseries to close

‘Every nursery closure is devastating to local communities, parents and children.’ Photograph: Stuart Boulton/Alamy

Nurseries across the UK are being forced to close or reduce their services at an alarming rate because they are struggling to recruit and retain staff, the National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) has warned.

The crisis is only set to deepen as more childcare providers go out of business, increasing demand for places and pushing prices even higher for families struggling with the rising cost of living.