Vast swathes of the childcare industry have thrown their support behind a Kent couple's campaign against relaxing nursery rules.

Zoe and Lewis Steeper, from Ashford, created a petition condemning proposed relaxation of rules on the ratio of staff to children in care settings which has now been signed by more than 60,000 people.

Zoe and Lewis explain their concerns

The pair were moved to take up the fight against the plans - aimed at easing the cost-of-living crisis - after their baby Oliver died following an incident at Jelly Beans Day Nursery in Kingsnorth.

Now the Early Years Alliance (EYA), a membership organisation representing the childcare sector, has released results of a survey showing that around nine in 10 nurseries and pre-schools in England are similarly opposed to the Government's plans.

Among those responding to the survey into the proposals was Rachael Relton, from Home from Home Childminding in Margate.

She said: "This proposal demonstrates an absolute lack of understanding, or more accurately, a deliberate disregard of the impact it would have on both staff and children's wellbeing.

"It will not change the existing hourly fee for parents as childminders do not operate at economies of scale.

"More children would actually increase our costs, particularly funded children, as the current funding rate is below the average hourly charge in our area and is only intended to cover the cost of the educational place and nothing else."

Children and families minister Will Quince has confirmed the Government consult on relaxing current early-years regulation so care settings can operate with a ratio of one adult per five two-year-olds, up from the current legal limit of four.

However, the EYA survey found just 2% of all nurseries and pre-schools that responded said ratio rule changes would result in a reduction in childcare fees at their setting.

Oliver's father says despite the evidence the Government plans to push ahead, it is still important for opponents of the relaxation of the rules to make their voices heard.

"We are both overwhelmed by the support and encouragement we have received from so many people in sharing and signing our petition," Mr Steeper said.

"Unfortunately with the Government's disappointing announcement last week it's meant that some may feel there's no need to sign - definitely not, please keep signing and sharing as much as you feel able to.

"We've still got opportunities to prevent this from going through.

"Ratios are such an important part of childcare - they form the basis of a safe, trustworthy and enjoyable care experience and it is vital that we all stand together and show Will Quince how much the UK are against this."

Commenting on the findings, Neil Leitch, the chief executive of the EYA, said: "Our survey results show that if the government does push ahead with any plans to relax ratios, most settings won’t change their ratios, even fewer would do it regularly, fewer still would save any money from it and hardly any would reduce parent fees as a result - so what exactly is the point of this policy?

"The Prime Minister himself has said that investment in the early years is absolutely crucial because the first few years of a child’s life are so vital - so how on earth can a policy that prioritises cost-cutting over children’s wellbeing and early development ever be justified?"