NEARLY 60 per cent of nurseries and childminders are struggling with the cost of offering families 30 hours of free childcare a week, a new poll suggests.

Under a government scheme rolled out last autumn, three and four-year-olds in England with working parents are entitled to this amount of free care.

A survey of 425 nursery leaders and childminders conducted by the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) found that only 19 per cent believe the government funding they receive for the free hours is sufficient.