Closures of childcare providers have reached their highest level since at least 2018, following increases in employer national insurance contributions (NIC) that came into force last year.
Poorer areas are worst-affected by shutdowns that are leaving parents struggling to find places, the Early Years Alliance warned.
For parents who managed to secure a place this autumn, they face increasing fees for hours not funded by the government and for extras such as nappies, wipes and food, the trade body said.
Shorts
Many working parents of children aged nine months to four years are entitled to 30 hours of government-funded childcare, but providers said the subsidies neither cover the full cost of delivery nor factor in the rise of NICs.
