The availability of places at nurseries and childminders has worsened for pre-school children across all age groups in Great Britain, a report says.
Fewer than one out of every three (29%) councils have enough spaces for children under two, down from 42% last year, Coram Family and Childcare found.
Parents say they are having to travel longer distances and even borrow money to meet childcare costs.
It comes as the government in England expands its funded-hours offer.
The DfE in England is confident the childcare market remains strong enough to deliver further expansion but "a significant minority of settings hold waiting lists over six months" and parents should secure places for September now if they have a preferred provider.
The Local Government Association, which represents councils in England, says underfunding and wider pressures have left them "less prepared" to support nurseries and childminders with the expansion of funded hours, "despite concerted effort".
The Welsh government says it provides 100% business-rates relief for registered childcare premises and childcare for all two-year-olds is being rolled out across Wales.
And the Scottish Government says it offers 30 hours a week in term time to all three- and four-year-olds regardless of their parents' working status.