A father who had to fork out thousands of pounds for nursery fees after the council refused to give him money he is entitled to says he is “infuriated”.

Graham Bukowski of Richmond Road, Leytonstone has spent £7,000 since October because Waltham Forest Council is refusing to hand over his free childcare allowance.

His twins, Beech and Eire, qualified for the government’s scheme for 30 hours free child care for three and four-year-olds last July when they celebrated their third birthday.

After receiving instalments for two months, which amounted to £2,000, the 43-year-old was told in September his payments would be paused after the nursery failed an inspection.

“It infuriates me because it’s people like us who want to work full-time who are being affected,” said the social researcher.

“I’ve lived in Waltham Forest for four years and I feel let down by the council. They are not helping hardworking people.

“This government initiative is meant to help parents like us.”

Stepping Stones Childcare in Leytonstone’s Woodhouse Road was rated ‘inadequate’ by Ofsted in September but went on to gain a ‘good’ rating in March.

But Mr Bukowski said despite numerous emails to the council, they are digging their heels in and refusing to hand over the cash due to “unresolved compliance issues” with the nursery.

He and his partner Casey Powell, 39, who works as an English and drama teacher in a secondary school, have had to get used to making sacrifices.

“We’ve lost about £7,000 and that is massive for us. It’s added to our stress and is affecting our mental health and we’re very emotionally attached to it now.

“If we don’t get the money we will be down about £10,000 this summer.

“It means lots of things for our family like putting money on credit cards and also not going on holidays.

“It means my partner and I will not buy clothes or go out. We will make sure our kids don’t miss out on anything.”

The couple says despite the bad Ofsted report, they are happy with the care their twins receive at Stepping Stones and praised the staff for their dedication.

It is thought up to eight other families at the nursery have been affected by the council’s decision to withhold childcare allowances.

Mr Bukowski said he is frustrated by the council’s willingness to allow the backlog in payments to build up since October.

“I’m happy to pay my taxes and it’s just disappointing when you come to a time when you need services they’re not there,” he said.

“We struggled to get by when the kids were born and were looking forward to this scheme.

“It was going to be a massive help so obviously we are livid.”

Cllr Grace Williams, cabinet member for children’s services, said: “Under the terms of the scheme, as laid out by the government, only schools or childcare providers rated 'requires improvement', 'good' or 'outstanding' by Ofsted are eligible to provide free childcare places and receive this money.

"As Stepping Stones was inspected by Ofsted twice over an eleven month period, and was rated 'inadequate' on both occasions, we were statutorily  unable to fund childcare at this nursery.

“Mr Bukowski was informed that although we could not fund childcare at Stepping Stones he would still be eligible for free childcare from an alternative provider who meet the requirements of the free childcare scheme, and was provided with details of alternative options available in the local area. This offer was declined.

“Mr Bukowski remains entitled to take up free childcare from an approved provider. The council is happy to provide support and assistance to help him find a place for his children.”