Private nurseries are in a “train crash” situation due to a funding gap which is causing them to increase childcare costs to make ends meet. Last week, the Sunday Post reported on how families across the country are struggling with the increasing costs of childcare, as Westminster rolls out a new funded initiative to provide free childcare. But nurseries cite increasing costs, lack of staff, changes in demand and a lack of funding from the Scottish Government as the reason why. Currently in Scotland, children aged between three and four are eligible for 1,140 hours funded childcare. In some cases it also covers two-year-olds.