A number of maintained nurseries are facing closure, because local authorities are denying their applications to extend their services beyond school hours.

As reported by Children and Young People Now, early years membership organisations have seen a rise in the number of reports from maintained nurseries that have experienced a fall in the number of children they are caring for, which is believed to be because parents need more flexible hours of childcare.

Local authorities are refusing those nurseries that want to offer more flexible services to parents, on the basis that the area already offers sufficient places for the number of resident children, however, this does not take into account the location and income of those parents in the area.

Megan Pacey chief executive of Early Education said: "Many parents value longer opening hours because school hours make transition times-picking up and dropping off at school difficult. If local authorities are denying nurseries the opportunity of improving their offer, parents will be put off using them and the nursery will receive less funding per pupil.''

''Ultimately, it means they'll be forced to close."

The Childcare Act 2006 states that every local authority has a duty to assess childcare provisions in its area and ensure there are enough places for all three and four year olds to receive 15 hours of free care per week. Current government plans will see these provisions extended to all disadvantaged two year olds in 2013.

Research conducted by the National Union of Teachers (NUT) indicated that union members confirmed that maintained nurseries are routinely blocked from extending their provision, despite having the support of those working in nursery nurse jobs. The NUT believes the future extension of the free entitlement is likely to affect state funded childcare provision.

Christine Blower general secretary of the NUT added: "The combination of extension and changes to funding are having an effect in this regard. Clearly is is an issue across the sector, not just in maintained nurseries but children's centres as well. Essentially, it's any provision that's not private, voluntary or independent."