More than half of local authorities in England expect childcare providers to close when the government's coronavirus support ends in January, a charity has warned.
Research by the family and childcare charity Coram also found just over a quarter (26%) of local authorities expect providers to reduce the number of free early education entitlement places they offer.
Coram has said this is of particular concern because such places are shown to narrow the achievement gap between disadvantaged children and their peers.
The government has confirmed funding arrangements to support the sector through the pandemic will end next month.
Coram's research found 58% of of local authorities in England believe local childcare providers will permanently close as a result of the move.