SOUTHEND nurseries are feeling the strain of a government scheme offering working parents 30 hours free childcare, it is claimed.

The scheme, which has been in place for the last year, sees full-time working parents benefitting from the 30-hours free scheme as long as their earnings are below £100,000.

However concerns have been raised about the amount being paid to nurseries for the spaces.

Since 2015 19 childcare providers have closed in Southend, according to Ofsted.

The Pre-school Learning Alliance has claimed another 40 per cent will contemplate closure next year with the scheme blamed.

Chief Executive Neil Leitch said: “The new scheme has further exasperated funding problems already experienced by providers under the 15 hours scheme.

“There has never been any such thing as free childcare

It’s subsidised childcare.

“Early Years funding is frozen until 2020, and while our costs go up, we’re just told to make it work.”

There are currently 204 providers left.

A nursery owner from Southend, who was worried about being named, said: “We charge £230 for a child with us full-time, but with the 30 hours free scheme in place, we only get £125 from the Government.

“The scheme is for working parents who can earn up £100,000 and still get the 30 hours free.

“The scheme is benefitting people on a higher income which I don’t think is fair.

“We are only a small nursery with a total of 26 children, so we have to maintain the numbers to continue operating.

“It is quite hard on us at the moment as there is a shortfall in the funding.

“Unlike many other nurseries, we still provide free snacks and all the materials children use whilst they are here such as arts and crafts. We do get some donations but not enough. We will eventually have to start charging for these things.

“We also have to send staff on compulsory training and bring in temporary staff whilst they complete the necessary training – these costs aren’t covered by government funding. A spokesman for Southend Council claimed the closures were inactive childminders and more are offering the free places going on to claim the free childcare had been positive for parents and providers.