Rishi Sunak has insisted his plan to expand free childcare will go ahead despite facing "practical issues" in the run up to the rollout.
There have been reports the flagship policy, due to start in April, is in jeopardy because of delays in allocating funding, staff shortages and issues with the IT system behind the scheme.
Asked about the problems, Mr Sunak told broadcasters: "Many families have been able to sign up and it's all working fine, but there are some practical issues that certain families are facing.
"I just want to reassure all of those people that those issues are being resolved as we speak, all of those families will get the childcare that they are eligible for."
He said the free provision will be accessible "this spring" - calling it the "biggest expansion of childcare in our country's history".
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced the reforms for England in the budget last March to help parents with the soaring cost of childcare.
Under the plans, working parents of two-year-olds will be able to access 15 hours of free childcare from April. This will be extended to working parents of all children older than nine months from September.
From September 2025, working parents of children under five will be entitled to 30 hours' free childcare per week.
