CHILDCARE has become “unavailable and unaffordable” under a Conservative government that has deliberately underfunded services, forcing some providers to close, Labour charged today.

Shadow cabinet member Bridget Phillipson said that the government has underfunded free childcare hours, pushing providers to charge parents for more hours and causing some services to shut up shop under the pressure.

The comment followed reports that parents are being left without childcare as nurseries close at short notice because of government underinvestment, financial pressure and staff shortages.

Ms Phillipson said: “Under the Conservatives, childcare has become unavailable and unaffordable.

“Another 4,000 providers have closed over the last year in a blow to parents juggling work and childcare.”

“The Conservatives’ deliberate underfunding of their ‘free’ childcare hours is forcing providers to cross-subsidise by charging parents more for extras and additional hours.

“Many providers are still operating at a loss or have been forced to close their doors for good, leaving families without access to the childcare they need. The Tories are failing our children.”

In July last year, the Guardian newspaper reported that the Westminster government had “knowingly” underfunded the early-years sector in England over the last decade.

Documents revealed that ministers were aware that insufficient investment would create higher prices for parents of younger children.

One document marked “official sensitive” acknowledged that the introduction of the Conservatives’ 30-hour policy was likely to result in price rises of as much as 30 per cent for parents of young children where care was not covered by the free offer.

This would make it too expensive for many of them to return to work.

The Early Years Alliance, which represents 14,000 providers in England and Wales and has its own nurseries, said the sector was facing its worst financial crisis in 20 years.

Chief executive Neil Leitch said that it had been caused by inadequate government investment in the sector, as well as increased costs for energy, food and staff.

He accused the government of “wasting time” looking at relaxing staff-to-child ratios and called for a “clear strategy.”

Pregnant Then Screwed chief executive Joeli Brearly said that parents across the country were “in a real mess” and described the situation as a “nightmare” for providers, who are also facing a staffing crisis.

“It’s a lack of government funding that’s creating this problem,” she insisted.