Responding to a new survey from Coran Family and Childcare which found that only a third of English council areas have enough childcare for full-time parents, and costs are rising, Paul Whiteman, general secretary at school leaders’ union NAHT, said:

“Too many nurseries simply don’t have enough funding - meaning they are unable to offer more places or increase pay sufficiently to help tackle the severe challenges they face in staff recruitment and retention.

“While the vast majority of schools already offer some sort of wraparound childcare to families, staff shortages and logistical challenges - such as a lack of space - can sometimes make this difficult.

“The government can make all the promises and reassurances it likes, but until it backs them up with the investment needed its plans to expand services are bound to fall short of parents’ expectations.”