Latest: 'Are we defending creches raising fees? Yes we are,' says Early Childhood Ireland

Latest: Early Childhood Ireland says it supports its members who are hiking fees this year.

Update: 3.32pm: Early Childhood Ireland says it supports its members who are hiking fees this year.

It comes after it emerged that only 60% of childcare providers have signed up to a new affordable care scheme, meaning thousands of parents could miss out on grant of more than €1000.