Ministers have banned the use of the term “free childcare” to describe a key government policy as anger mounts over nursery fees.

Conservative Jeremy Hunt announced plans to give every child aged nine months and over 30 hours of “free” childcare in his budget last year, in a last-ditch effort to stay in power.

But Labor accused the Conservatives of announcing a “commitment without a plan”.

The new government will stick to this policy, which will see a massive expansion of the current arrangements next September.

But in a change of direction, they have dropped the word “free” and will instead refer to hours as “funded.”

Ministers said the move was aimed at being “really clear” about expectations for the program.

Parents may also have to pay extra for everything from food to diapers.

And critics argue that the system gives a false impression as the 30 hours are not valid all year round and only apply during the school term, i.e. for 38 weeks a year.

Struggling parents complain of being charged more for hours outside those covered by the government, as nurseries try to make up for the shortfall in government money they receive.

Earlier this year The Independent revealed parents are facing a rise in nursery fees of up to 15 per cent as they foot the bill left by funding shortfalls in the Conservatives’ flagship program to expand free childcare.

And this week ministers announced a crackdown on nurseries charging banned extra fees, warning they are preventing parents from using much-needed childcare.

On the use of the word “free”, Education Minister Stephen Morgan said The Independent: “What I hear so clearly from the sector is that these are funded places, and that is why we have changed this language within the ministry to be really clear on the expectations of parents. These are funded places in communities.

When asked if his department would still use the word “free,” he said no.

Neil Leitch, chief executive of the charity Early Years Alliance, said the change in terminology risked sending “mixed messages”.

“While the news that the government will replace the word ‘free’ with ‘funded’ may seem like a positive step in theory, we at the Alliance remain unconvinced,” he said.

“In reality, the fact remains that nurseries, nursery schools and childminders are still expected to provide free early care places, when too often the funding is far from enough to cover the costs of delivery.

“Ultimately, we know, and the Government knows, that the only way to make early years services affordable for every family is to provide the sector with adequate long-term funding. Conflicting messages from the government will only put providers in an even more precarious financial position and prevent them from managing parents’ expectations. »