Local authorities are due to implement the 15-hour flexible offer for all three- and four-year-olds by September.
However, in one London borough, private and voluntary nurseries may be able to opt out of extending the free places to 15 hours if they are able to give a valid reason for not being able to extend the offer.
In Harrow, which is one of the pathfinder boroughs for the Early Years Single Funding Formula, private and voluntary providers that do not think they will be able to offer the flexible 15 hours will have their situation considered on 'a case by case basis'.
Wendy Beeton, head of early years at Harrow Council, said there would be no 'blanket' option to defer extending the free entitlement, but acknowledged that some providers were not able to offer the 15 hours.
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