Nurseries in England are warning of potential fee increases and closures as they face rising costs due to insufficient government funding, despite a £2 billion increase in early years funding to support a rollout of free childcare for eligible under-fives. Industry leaders claim the funding will not cover rising wages and National Insurance contributions, leading to higher costs for parents. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson emphasizes the importance of early years education while concerns about accessibility and quality persist in certain regions.