PARENTS are in complete chaos trying to access a new government scheme that provides 15 hours of “free” childcare, a charity has said.

A survey of more than 6,000 parents in England eligible for the new funding for two-year-olds has revealed several ways in which they are struggling to access the scheme, Pregnant Then Screwed (PTS) announced.

Parents have been able since the beginning of the year to apply for a code to access the scheme starting on April 1, but only 11 per cent of the surveyed parents have been able to get their code.

Norwich mum Danielle Long complained of frustration at the system’s usability, saying: “The first time I called, I was on hold for four hours, only to be hung up on. I called the following day and waited another three hours.

“People who work, who have young kids and need childcare, don’t have that sort of time.”

Some childcare settings are removing the government scheme for three and four-year-olds as well as not enrolling in the new scheme for two-year-olds because of “continued underfunding from the government,” PTS said.

A government spokesperson claimed the system is working as intended.