London's suburbs are being placed under a huge amount of strain as an increasing number of families move out of the capital. Nurseries are bursting to the point where babies who have not even been born are being registered with them while schools and care homes are struggling to cope with demand. Council budgets are under pressure.
Havering, on the Essex-London border, is one such area.
Attracted by the east London town's affordable housing, green spaces, relatively low crime rates and the Elizabeth line, Shea said she made the move from East Ham to Havering for a bigger flat and better schooling.
Once settled into the area, Shea said she struggled to find available childcare.
"When I first moved here, I emailed lots of nurseries and most didn't get back to me or have space," she said.
"I have friends who have recently moved here and they are just not getting anywhere because it is just so full everywhere."
Another parent, Kirsty, told me she had spent about nine months trying to find a nursery space for her son.
Louise Farrow, who manages the Fledglings nursery in Romford, said despite opening two more premises in the past 18 months, they could not keep up with demand: in the last six months, registrations have increased by 80%.
"Those new nurseries are already almost full in their first year because of the demand of parents coming into the area and needing childcare," she said.
