Angus Council has no spare places within its nurseries to implement a flagship Scottish Government childcare policy, it has emerged.
The Scottish Conservatives published research they claim leaves the pledge to provide free childcare to some of Scotland’s poorest families “in chaos”.
Ministers said in January that children from workless families would be able to access the extra provision from August 1.
However, parliamentary answers confirmed there is no guarantee that all eligible two-year-olds from the poorest backgrounds will be given the care promised.
Problems in implementing the scheme also mean the legal duty for introducing it will now not begin until the end of October.
In response to a freedom of information request, Angus Council said Scottish Government and Cosla projections estimated an extra 131 children would be eligible in the county.
It added that “no places will be available via a local authority nursery private providers only” for the additional youngsters.
Tory young people spokeswoman Liz Smith said: “The Scottish Government has ordered councils to deliver on this policy but it is very clear that several are struggling to do so. They simply do not have enough places or sufficient accommodation.”
A Scottish Government spokesman said: “Local authorities have confirmed that they are on track to extend the provision to eligible two-year-olds from August 2014.
“In exceptional circumstances where this is not possible councils will continue to ensure eligible two-year-olds receive a place as soon as possible in the period up to October 31.”