Save the Children has called for urgent investment in early years education to cope with a shortage of 10,000 nursery school teachers.
It says applications for teaching posts in the sector have plummeted by 63% in England because graduates are put off by low salaries and a lack of promotion prospects.
The charity warns that more than a quarter of a million children are at risk of falling behind by the time they reach school because of the shortage of nursery teachers.
It says the number of people applying for the teaching roles has dropped dramatically to 860 last year from more than 2,300 the year before.
Shropshire, Hull and the London borough of Newham are the worst affected with less than 20% of children in independent settings getting access to a qualified nursery teacher.
Even in wealthier areas such as Sutton, only 28% of independent nurseries have a qualified early years teacher.
Gareth Jenkins, director of UK poverty at Save the Children said: 'If the government is serious about creating a country that works for everyone, it’s crucial we urgently invest in a qualified teacher for every nursery across the country – giving children the support they need to reach their full potential.'
