A survey of local authorities by 4Children found that 54 per cent said sustainability was the top concern for providers, while 85 per cent said difficulty in affording childcare was parents' top concern.
Meanwhile, provisional findings from research for the Big Lottery Fund's Out of School Hours Childcare Programme, due to be launched in May, show that 57 per cent of all out-of-school providers have received financial support from the Big Lottery Fund.
But 48 per cent said their financial security depended on ongoing funding like the BLF start-up grants, which are no longer available, and other Government cash.
Anne Longfield, chief executive of 4Children, said, 'Many parents have benefited in recent years with a real growth in childcare in their area.
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