More than three-fifths of all places in Scotland do not offer full day care.
Working parents across Scotland are being let down by a lack of flexibility in the nursery system, a report has found.
Research for the Fair Funding for our Kids campaign discovered three-quarters of free places for three-five year-olds were being offered at council-run nurseries.
Of these nurseries, nine in every ten were unable to offer full day care – even if the parents offered to pay for the extra hours.
When private nurseries were taken into account, 65% of all nursery places in Scotland were unable to offer full day care.
There has been very little progress made in ensuring that Scottish parents can access their entitlement
A spokeswoman for the campaign said this placed many working parents in an “impossible situation”.
She added: “Despite announcements by the Scottish Government highlighting progress, our own investigations via Freedom of Information requests and first-hand accounts from parents and nurseries have found there has been very little progress made in ensuring that Scottish parents can access their entitlement."
The Scottish Government increased the annual entitlement to free childcare for three-five year olds from 475 hours to 600 in 2014.
Fair Funding for our Kids was founded in the same year to lobby for parents who are unable to access this entitlement.
The group heard from one parent, 34-year-old Sarah, who has been waiting for two and a half years for an extended hours place at a council nursery.
She said: “I told the council that I worked long shifts for the NHS and asked for extended hours Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday.
“Instead, my daughter was offered an afternoon only place on a Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. I had to turn down her space on a Wednesday because I don’t have anyone to pick her up or drop her off.
“Who works for less than three hours a day, term time only?”
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “The most recent annual national statistics, in 2015, show 97% registration for funded entitlement to early learning and childcare for three- and four-year-olds.
“Through the Children and Young People Act, we put flexibility on a statutory footing for the first time, meaning local authorities are now required to consult with groups of parents on patterns of childcare provision that would best meet their needs.
“The majority of local authorities have had these conversations and have increased flexibility through a wider range of choice and options like half days, full days and alignment with school days. The range of options will continue to increase every year until 1140 hours per year are introduced in 2020.”
