One in six childcare providers in England may close by Christmas

Poll finds providers in deprived areas particularly vulnerable as a result of low demand

A quarter of nurseries and childminders in deprived areas of England say they will not get by beyond Christmas without additional income, according to a survey.

The poll by the Early Years Alliance (EYA) found that low demand for places and inadequate government support during the Covid pandemic could result in mass closures of childcare facilities.